Nina Johnson of the Greater Lehigh Valley Red Cross, and Red Cross volunteer Bill Slotter shared emergency preparedness information with Upper Milford Township supervisors at their May 16 meeting, emphasizing how emergency shelters are set up.

During the power outages following Hurricane Sandy last year, multiple shelters were set up in the Lehigh Valley, Johnson said, including several not too far from Upper Milford at Emmaus High School, Eyer Junior High School and Lower Milford Elementary School.

In looking for suitable locations for shelters, large capacity and easy access are among the important criteria, she said.

"We cannot open a shelter in every town and every municipality," she explained, but locations like the township building and fire company social halls can serve as warming areas, where residents can come to get warm and obtain more information on longer term shelter arrangements.

"If this building [the township building] has a generator, it could be a warming center," she said.

Supervisor Robert Sentner said that is what township officials have been considering as they have been working on updating the township's emergency management plan.

Johnson said it would be essential for the township to let residents know they can come to the township building for information in an emergency.

Slotter said the Red Cross is reviewing agreements it has with various shelter locations, and Johnson said the Red Cross works with local emergency management coordinators to disseminate information on where residents can find shelter.

They also work with LANTA to provide transportation to shelters for people who need it.

Emergency management coordinator William Stahler said work on updating the township's emergency management plan is continuing.

In other action, supervisors honored Henry Kradjel for 40 years of service to the township in various capacities. Kradjel has served as supervisor, has been a member of the planning commission for all 40 years and was zoning officer during the 1980s.

As a planning commission member, he served on the comprehensive plan committee through several revisions of the plan over the years.

Supervisors Chairman Daniel Mohr thanked Kradjel for his "true commitment and desire to make our community a wonderful place to live."

Eric Davis from the office of State Rep. Justin Simmons, R-131st, also presented a proclamation to Kradjel on behalf of Simmons and State Rep. Ryan Mackenzie, R-134th.

Supervisors also approved the license for a 160-foot cell phone monopole to be located near the township building. The height is greater than the standard 140 feet, and accordingly, the rent paid by the state to the township will increase from $2,000 to $3,000 yearly.

Supervisor George DeVault voted in favor, but added, "I still think it's ridiculous to put up a pole that tall without a light on it, but then, a lot of what our state and federal governments do is ridiculous."

"Be careful," resident Phil Casey cautioned from the audience. "You'll get audited."

Also, Mohr reported he was waiting at the traffic light at Shimerville that morning, heading west from Vera Cruz, and only two cars coming from Vera Cruz were able to get through the light at one time. The wait was so long, he said, that another driver was able to get out of his car and approach Mohr to ask him to do something about it.

Mohr asked if the timing on that light could be checked and township Manager Daniel DeLong said he would look into it.