Upper Milford Township Supervisors resumed their in-person meetings June 18 because, according to staff, they were allowed to do so under Pennsylvania’s current designation of Lehigh County being in COVID-19 status yellow.

For the past several weeks the township supervisors have been meeting using the Zoom application via the Internet. Unlike several other municipalities who have been meeting using Zoom or YouTube, Upper Milford Township has not posted or archived the meetings for public access because, according to a spokesperson, the township is not required to do so.

The return to in-person meetings brought some restrictions. For example, the meeting was held in the auditorium down the hall from the regular meeting room at the municipal building, a former school at the intersection of King’s Highway South and Route 29.

The larger room allowed for social distancing compliant seating and a sign posted on the door required all who entered to wear a face mask though one of the supervisors did not wear a face mask.

Face masks are used to reduce the chances of the wearer spreading coronavirus to nearby members of the public.

COVID-19 concerns dominated the business of the supervisors as Supervisor Robert Sentner made a motion township park pavilions be opened to the public during the green phase, a state measure to help mitigate the spread of the coronavirus. The motion passed unanimously.

Supervisor Joyce Moore moved to continue closure of the facility restrooms and to keep the temporary portable toilets in place. She moved to add signs warning the portable toilets are not frequently sanitized. The motion passed 2-1 with Sentner voting against the measure.

Sentner offered a motion to suspend use of the auditorium for the year with the exception of the fire companies’ Community Day which would be held outside in the parking lot. Access to the municipal building will be only to use restrooms. The Light the Night Safe Zones Block Party organizers may hold their event only outside in the parking lot. The motion passed 3-0.