The Upper Milford Township meeting June 5 opened with public comment from Laurie Mason of Chestnut Street. A neighbor’s farm animals continue to find their way onto the road and she has people knocking on her door informing her of the animals on the road; but they are not her animals. Mason and her husband have notified the township previously about this concern and she is asking the board to “enforce the rules.”

Board Chair Dan Mohr commiserated with Mason by telling her he “came close to hitting some of those animals.” Mohr informed Mason the township is aware of the concern. Mason said last week the state police were notified because she is concerned “somebody is going to get hit.”

Also in public comment, resident Frank Kuklics inquired about the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation’s Mill Road closure project and asked for updates. Township Manager Bud Carter said “We are still in talks with the turnpike commission.”

A third resident, Francis Hardner, brought up flooding issues on Buckeye Road and is concerned when a passing lane is put in, the problem may worsen. Currently, flooding from Route 29 drops various types of debris into her yard as well as her neighbors’ yards.

Mohr said this is PennDOT’s responsibility and the board will “convey this message to PennDOT.”

Before the minutes were approved, Secretary/Treasurer Jessie O’Donald asked that resident Jim Krippe’s statement regarding paving be clarified. The board acknowledged the changes made to his previous information. It was also noted the board held an executive session 1:30 p.m. May 29 “to discuss legal and personnel issues.”

In new business, William Erdman, of Keystone Consulting Engineers, President of the Homeowners Association for the Fields at Jasper Ridge Scott Strahler and Vice President of the HOA John DeVoe approached the board regarding the parking issue at Jasper Ridge. Meeting minutes from May 16, 2024, note a Resolution 2024-019 discussion with Jasper Ridge HOA in which “the developer proposed and recorded the plan with no street parking except in certain designated areas. The HOA and developer are requesting a change to add approximately 40 additional parking spaces on one side of the roads.”

In that discussion, Supervisor John Zgura “asked with board approval for the HOA to get signatures from those property owners that have proposed additional parking on their side of the street.”

Erdman, Strahler and DeVoe shared three changes to the parking regarding parking only permitted where signs are posted, parking for guests and visitors and no parking during snow emergencies.

Zgura revisited the original discussion on Resolution 2024-019 inquiring if the HOA had secured the signatures to change the HOA rules. Stahler replied, “We do not. We are struggling to get ⅔ participation in a vote.”

Carter interjected that “a year has lapsed and (you are) asking a lot of for the board to approve (this).” Solicitor Marc Fisher reminded the men “the township does not have to approve anything” and could require 100% participation. “Where do you want to take this?” Fisher asked.

Fisher clarified three points: that the township will only consider if all property owners approve it, a revised plan needs to be filed and a collected official document on HOA for parking is needed.

Supervisor Angela Ashbrook asked if the township can override the HOA and Fisher said the township cannot. The HOA has its own rules and shares the bylaws with the township.

Resident Lauren Haponski said “100% needs to sign up. We are a community,” she said.

A discussion followed regarding the length of feet from the center of the road for parking. Mohr said the township has its own rules established for street parking.

A number of residents then contributed to the discussion about people parking anywhere and blocking driveways. Other residents like Sylvia Mateo said she was not informed about the parking and was shocked to learn there is no street parking. Mateo believes the issue of “speeding on Mink Road is a bigger issue.” She added she is “disappointed with the township response” when “time lapsed (referring to HOA comment) is an issue when (our) development is not even finished.”

Discussion continued with residents noting potholes, streets not paved, safety and speeding and flooding and (roads being) ice rinks” as bigger issues.

Stahler clarified he wants the board to consider the revised parking plan for Jasper Ridge. Carter suggested the HOA bring it to a vote and report the results to the board.

Next on the list of new business was a discussion on the complaint policy. Zgura said he wants all complaints to be in writing. This drew claps from the audience. Zgura would like to have a form available on the website for residents to complete. He also supports requiring identification when making a complaint. Discussion emerged about certain individuals in the township office having the “power” to create complaints. Carter noted “township staff do not do anything without written complaint.” O’Donald confirmed that “every one (complaint) has to be written down.”

Fisher asked for clarification for the new policy, including must all complaints be in writing, are there any exceptions and health, safety and welfare.

Ashbrook wanted to know why residents would not want to fill out a form if they want a complaint addressed. Carter said he wants to keep people compliant. O’Donald said she can create a fillable form in which the document can be put into a spreadsheet for supervisors to view complaints.

Mohr clarified for the audience the Right to Know Act is a state law and the township does not give out the names of individuals who make complaints. The board agreed to have Fisher draft the new policy.

In the last of new business, the board approved Resolution-029 that provides a check for $38,500 from supplemental appropriation to purchase a backhoe from Upper Macungie Township.

In new business for the planning commission, the board approved time extensions due to expire June 30 to Dec. 31: Dunkin’ Donuts, 4054 Chestnut St.; Goldstein Subdivision and 5330 Macungie Mountain Road. In subdivisions/improvements, Brookshire Time Extension was approved through Sept. 5, 2025.

Zgura asked that the new employee discussion be added to the June 19 agenda and asked the board to think about the July 3 meeting since it falls on the day before the July 4 holiday.

The next meeting will be 7 p.m. June 19 in the township building.