Several members of Upper Milford’s two fire departments attended the supervisors meeting Nov. 3 to voice concerns and questions about the grant proposal unveiled at the last supervisors meeting.

The proposal would include up to $50,000 in next year’s budget to help the two companies enhance training, provide physicals for their members, apply for grants and purchase equipment. When it was first discussed at that meeting, some fire officials were worried they would be required to provide physicals and other training for all their members.

At last week’s meeting, Supervisors Chairman George DeVault emphasized everything in the grant proposal is strictly voluntary. He said supervisors are proposing the grant, aspects of which he called a compromise, to help the fire departments enhance the safety of their members. The proposal is an outgrowth of discussions at fire company steering committee meetings about the needs of the two departments.

DeVault also noted how much time the departments must spend raising money and called the proposal “a small first step toward lightening the fundraising burden” on them.

Questions from the fire department personnel focused on issues such as whether the amount supervisors are considering is nearly enough to cover physicals and training.

Becky Sherman, wife of Citizens Fire Company Chief Joe Sherman, said the $5,000 in the grant is not nearly enough to cover physicals for all the members and asked, “Would we have to put up our own money?”

Supervisors suggested if the departments decided to get physicals for their members, they could spread it out over three years, saying the $5,000 would be adequate to cover physicals for a third of the members.

Another firefighter said the $10,000 in the grant is not nearly enough for vehicle rescue technician certification and the equipment required for that certification.

Jason Tapler of Citizens Fire Company said the $50,000 would be better spent to put toward the purchase of new vehicles. Other firefighters agreed.

Supervisor Robert Sentner pointed out the $50,000 is “over and above what’s been done before.”

The township annually budgets funds for the two fire companies; that amount is $30,150 for each department in this year’s budget and that will increase by five percent in the 2017 budget.

After about a half-hour of discussion which seemed to raise more questions than it answered, DeVault concluded the discussion by asking each department to “talk some more back at your stations” and prioritize needs and questions before the next supervisors meeting.

In other action, supervisors gave final approval to Salem Bible Church’s land development plan. Glen Harris, representing the church, said the addition to their building would provide more classroom space for upper classmen at the Salem Christian School operated by the church.

It would not mean an increase in the number of students, he said.

The planning commission had recommended approval of several waivers for the plan, as well as the final plan, planning coordinator Brian Miller said. He called the requested waivers “standard.”

In other business, Township Manager Daniel DeLong said he will be presenting a balanced budget with no tax increase to supervisors at their next meeting. He said the budget includes the $50,000 grant to the fire departments, but if supervisors decide not to approve that grant, the public works department could use that money.

The final budget is also contingent on the results of the open space referendum on this week’s ballot, which would increase the earned income tax if it passes.