State Sen. Jarrett Coleman, R-16th, opened the April 3 Upper Milford Township meeting thanking the Vera Cruz and Western District Fire Departments for their service and commitment to the community. Coleman helped secure a $1.2 million grant to be used toward the purchase of a pumper tanker for the township.

“This is important for the community and it will benefit locally and neighboring localities,” Coleman said. “I look forward to working with you in the future. This is a good day for all of us.” The standing-room only audience applauded his appreciation toward the board of supervisors and the firefighters.

In subdivisions and improvements, Chris Cavanaugh of W. B. Homes LP requested and received a one-year extension for the Estates at Maple Ridge through May 11, 2026. He noted 16 out of 30 homes have already been sold and he would like to continue the development agreement.

In new business for the planning commission, the supervisors approved a number of waivers for the Zionsville Bible Fellowship Church Land Development project. Planning Coordinator Brian Miller read the list including driveways, certain utilities, lighting systems for the lot, trees and monuments.

Secondly, it was noted the payment was provided in a letter dated Nov. 26, 2024 and the zoning hearing board approved the waivers March 10. The approval is contingent on the engineer’s review letter and payment of outstanding fees.

In old business, Township Manager Bud Carter asked the supervisors if they are in agreement with the quotes supplied by both fire companies regarding the state-mandated purchase of new radios. The Vera Cruz Fire Department quote is approximately $241,000 while the Western District Fire Company’s quote is $281,245 which includes the radios and additional items such as installation. Supervisor John Zgura asked the fire company members in attendance if they are happy with these quotes and the fire company members said yes.

Supervisor Angela Ashbrook asked about an extended warranty beyond the two year warranty with the purchase but that information was not available at this time.

The board approved the quotes for the quantities of radios and the estimates dated Jan. 30 and March 18 and to notify Lehigh County with this information. A member of the audience asked about how the radios will be paid for but the board stated that discussion will take place at another meeting.

Also in old business, Carter provided information for the Leah Drive issue. Previously, residents of Leah Drive provided the board with a petition to make their street permit parking. Recently, more students from Emmaus High School are blocking mailboxes and driveways by parking throughout the day.

Residents said contractors trying to do work for the residents cannot find parking and school buses are having difficulty navigating the street with the number of student cars parking there. Carter said the signs for Leah Drive will be approximately $800 for eight signs and would take about four hours to install.

The issue involved adding signs to the streets from the township to Emmaus Borough. If the signs are posted on Leah Drive, the problem will continue to persist as it has been occurring in the borough.

According to Carter, the signage and the changes to the ordinance will be approximately $3,200. He wanted to take care of all the streets in this area to avoid returning next year for the same concern on another street. However, Ashbrook wanted only to do Leah Drive because the residents who came with the petition were from this street. Carter reminded Ashbrook there is a cost involved for each time an ordinance is changed.

Zgura said he visited the area after the concern was brought to the meeting. He noticed the students are “parking their cars all together and maybe if they spread the cars out,” the problem might not be an issue. Zgura agreed with Carter the township needs to do all the streets otherwise the problem will just keep pushing back to another street.

Carter noted the parking will be restricted to one hour unless with a permit for Mondays-Fridays. Residents would need to secure a permit from the township.

Carter offered to send a mailer to the residents of the other streets to include their opinions, which Ashbrook accepted. However, there were concerns residents might not respond. Instead, resident Kyle O’Steen offered to have the additional residents sign the petition. The board agreed to table this issue until the petition is signed by additional residents on neighboring streets of Leah Drive.

In new business, Carter announced the retirement of Public Works Foreman Brent Fegley. The board accepted the retirement which is effective at the close of business June 20.

The board also approved appointing Jarrod Bailey to replace Fegley in June at the hourly rate of $32 an hour.

With the transition of Bailey replacing Fegley, Carter asked the board for approval to advertise for a new public works employee. Zgura wants to discuss these changes with Bailey and estimated a public works employee with pay and benefits costs the townships approximately $130,000 a year. “Do we really need another guy? Can we save the $130,000 and hire a sub for snow plowing? If it doesn’t work, then we can revisit it. Just an idea,” Zgura said.

Ashbrook agreed with Zgura.

Board Chair Dan Mohr was concerned about the road work without this additional employee. Carter added more roads are being dedicated in the township and noted a part-time employee could work 34 hours and will not be vested. The board said they will look into this concern and tabled the discussion until the next meeting.

In correspondence, the board approved the use of safety signage for the Monkey Knife Fight Charity Bicycle Ride April 12, 2025. This ride consists of 400 riders who raise money for children’s cancer. While the rides have been taking place since 2006, they have been official for the past decade in the township. The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation now requires approval from all the townships. The group has already submitted its insurance and will involve roads such as Shimersville, Schantz, Germansville and others. Additional information regarding this charity ride can be found on the website https://www.bikereg.com/monkey-knife-fight.

Secretary/Treasurer Jessi O’Donald continued to encourage residents to complete the recreation survey to assist the committee in future decisions. She also reminded residents to mark their calendars for the Jasper Day event June 21. More information about this event can be found on the township’s website.

Mohr reminded residents the Vera Cruz Easter Egg Hunt will take place 1 p.m. April 19 at Mystic Chain Park, 3718 Main Road East. The event is for children under 12 and will involve only plastic eggs. The event is held rain or shine. If it rains, it is converted to a drive-through event.

Zgura concluded the meeting by thanking Coleman for “doing what he has to help all of us.”

The next meeting will be held 7 p.m. April 17 in the township building.