In response to questions from the audience, Upper Milford Township supervisors at their June 20 meeting promised they'll keep pushing to complete the update of the township's emergency management plan.

"It's time that someone needs to do something about updating [the plan]," resident James Kripp told supervisors, saying he doesn't want to see the update fall by the wayside.

Resident David Lindstrom, who has been particularly vocal in urging action and volunteering to help in the wake of the lengthy power outages the past two Octobers, agreed.

Supervisors George DeVault and Robert Sentner both promised to make sure progress is being made. Supervisor Daniel Mohr was absent.

"We're going to keep pushing to make things happen," DeVault promised.

Sentner said he would make sure another meeting is scheduled to follow up and get the word out about the date of that meeting. Two meetings have already been held on updating the plan and a new plan is reportedly close to completion.

Sentner said, "Bill (emergency management coordinator William Stahler) has done a great job, but I think he needs some help on this." Township Manager Daniel DeLong said, "I don't want anyone to think we don't have a plan. We have resources." He said Upper Milford works with the county and other municipalities in responding to emergencies.

Unfortunately, he said, there are only three CERT (Citizen Emergency Response Teams) in Lehigh County. Kripp alleged that is because "a lot of fire chiefs feel they're not needed."

Most of the rest of the discussion at last week's brief meeting was taken up with how to best resolve drainage problems on Javis Drive. Javis Drive resident Bob Miller said he's lived there for more than 30 years and his basement has flooded half a dozen times. DeVault said the location "presents some challenges" and suggested everyone involved, including Miller's neighbor and public works coordinator Steve Ackerman, meet to discuss the issue before regularly scheduled road maintenance work begins in that area.