LOWER MILFORD TOWNSHIP
LEHIGH COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS - WORKSHOP MEETING
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2007
MINUTES
PRESENT: Richard Harris, Chairman; Arland Schantz, Vice-Chairman; Donna Wright, Supervisor; Richard Kinsey, Director of Public Works and approximately 12 members of the audience.
Chairman Harris called the meeting to order at approximately 7:30 pm.
Scout Road Bridge (West)
Kinsey replied to an email from Ann Frey by saying he was in contact with the township engineer who suggested constructing a hammer turn to avoid traffic turning around in private driveways in the interim. He said if there are trees down the non-emergency police number can be called as well as his own home phone number after office hours.
She also gave Kinsey a web address for hybrid timber bridge information, which he said he will look into.
Plans to replace the bridge will be addressed after the new year.
Frey said she discussed with Wright the possibility of a walking/bike path on Schultz Bridge Road and a walking rather than traffic bridge.
Interim Tax Collector
There has been no response to the request for a tax collector. The term is four years. It is an elected position and must be filled as such. It will be advertised in the township newsletter next week.
Bryn Estates (Sorenson Subdivision)
A six home subdivision with no apparent problems. There were no comments or questions.
Condemnation of Ag Preservation Easement in Lower Macungie Township
Wright said the property is in preservation by Wildlands Conservancy but not Lehigh County therefore is not shown on land preservation maps. Lower Macungie is looking to change the zoning use and condemn the easement to utilize 100 acres of the property for a park. According to the Southern Lehigh County Regional Comprehensive Plan, the other participating regions should be notified of proposed zoning changes. The Planning Commission will review the situation at their workshop and make a suggestion to the Board of Supervisors as to what action should be taken. The concern is a township being able to condemn an easement.
3-Way Stop at Limeport Pike and Blue Church Road
In anticipation of Limeport being the center of activity for the area and to make it safer a 3-way stop and crosswalks were considered. Wright suggested writing a letter to Karen Beyer asking for funding to accommodate improving that intersection. That intersection is in the Southern Lehigh County Regional Comprehensive Plan as one that should be improved.
Street Address Numbers - Ordinance 69
Fire Chief Richard DeFiore said the Fire Company would like to mandate 3 inch reflective numbers on either side of each mailbox in the township. Standardized looking numbers are easier to detect. Having properly marked mailboxes as part of the final inspection of new homes could be considered.
Harris asked if DeFiore was interested in the Fire Company participating in an Emergency Services Committee that could deal with ordinances like this. DeFiore said he would be interested. Harris expressed the importance and need for the formation of this committee. The purpose is not to tell the branches represented what to do but to work together and gather information in order for the Board of Supervisors to make better decisions.
Jean Schoch asked if it could be formed by ordinance. Harris stated it could.
Ann Frey asked if minutes from various committees could be made accessible to the public. It was discussed how issues on that committee should not be discussed in public be addressed.
SoLeHi Community Pool
The Southern Lehigh Comminity Park is interested in forming a Task Force Committee in order to take over the pool from the school district in order to make needed repairs to the pool. The municipalities involved would be Upper Saucon Township, Coopersburg Borough and Lower Milford Township with 2% of Lower Milford in attendance at the pool. There was no interest in being financially involved in the pool but would send a representative to attend the meetings and give input if requested. The consensus of the Board was to send a letter stating that Lower Milford is not interested in taking part in the Task Force and asking the actual number of people from Lower Milford Township belonging to the pool.
Community Baptist Church Milford Township Zoning Hearing Appeal
Schantz mentioned Milford Townships Zoning Hearing involving the Community Baptist Church property which was subdivided from a Lower Milford Property. Ann Frey stated the easement created on the Lower Milford Township portion for an alternate entrance/exit should have come before the Planning Commission. She felt Lower Milford got taken advantage of. It was stated the easement was created properly and nothing done inappropriately. No road improvement fees could have been collected.
PA State Forest Management Plan Update
Correspondence was received but no comment was necessary.
Wright stated the Recreation and Open Space Board is in contact and will meet with the PA State Forester to walk through and discuss the Township forest properties.
Announcements
o Fall Festival September 22, 2007 from 10 am to 5 pm
Harris adjourned the meeting at 9:42 pm.