The Upper Milford Township meeting opened with public comment from Bob and Sue Yoder, of Gary Drive.

The Yoders applied for a permit to add a sunroom onto their home and assumed their design met the township requirements for a lower trench 20 feet from the house to allow for clearance for their septic system. The plans were designed by the township in 2004.

However, Sue Yoder noted the “permit was approved for 20 feet out, when in reality it is 12 feet out. Now we have all these costs.”

When the contractor began work, he hit the septic tank.

According to Bob Yoder, the contractor thought it was an old drainage system because it did not smell like septic water. He added the township needs to let the homeowner know if the township “veers from the plan.”

There was lengthy discussion about the original paperwork.

Planning Coordinator Brian Miller explained the design was not conducted by an engineer. He added anything he reviewed was marked in red. Miller also shared that today electronic copies of the permits are made; but this particular one is paper and 21 years old.

Sue Yoder questioned, “Where do we go from here?”

Supervisor John Zgura said, “We need to talk to Allen (Brokate) and then discuss what Allen did with the board and then talk with you.”

Miller added he will need to work with them on the repair. Both Sue and Bob Yoder thanked the board and appreciated their help in this matter.

Public comment continued with Jennifer Peters, of Chestnut Street, expressing concern about the proposed expansion of TG Countryside ice cream shop to include a smoke shop.

She explained how she and her husband who grew up in this area purchased their land to preserve it. She described the area between the restaurant and the fire company as “tranquil” and “a different world on the mountain.” She said the proposed expansion to include a smoke shop does not fit in this community.

“There is a commercial area at the bottom of the hill,” Peters said.

She appealed to supervisors not to allow for the expansion of Countryside or for the operation of a smoke shop.

A zoning hearing board meeting was scheduled Aug. 11.

In new business, Barker and Barker Paving apologized for the delay for the work at Lenape Park and requested a 60-day extension.

Supervisor Angela Ashbrook questioned why the work was not completed in June. A representative for Barker and Barker Paving explained internal issues within the company needed to be resolved.

Ashbrook was concerned about the delay impacting fall sports programs.

Township Manager Bud Carter said sports would not be affected, but it could be a problem on weekends.

Barker and Barker Paving said they can move the equipment to one section for the weekends.

Ashbrook was concerned about the work possibly not being completed by the extension date. Ashbrook asked, “Will everything be done by Oct. 10 or 11?”

“Done,” the pacing company representative said.

“We had internal issues within our company and had to go outside to fix it. We are in a deficit already on this project, but we want to get it completed.”

Zgura abstained from this discussion and the vote because he acknowledged he does a lot of work with Barker and Barker Paving.

The motion passed to provide the paving company with an extension through Oct. 10 to complete the work at Lenape Park.

Also in new business, supervisors approved the hose and nozzle agreement that anything not purchased with the grant money will come back to the township.

The board also approved Resolution 2025-033 Leonetti O & M. This resolution approved the stormwater agreement for homeowners at 7433 Chestnut St.

The supervisors approved the DCMR Landowner Agreement for Lenape Park Buffer planting. Volunteers are being solicited to do the planting 8 a.m. Sept. 13.

Lauren Haponski provided an update from the recreation committee.

She mentioned a proposal for benches to be added at Lenape Park. Concerns about Lehigh County property in the park were discussed. Haponski shared an assessment on Arrowhead Park will be completed next week.

Zgura provided a clarification about the public comment regarding the smoke shop. Township approval is needed for expansions greater than 2,000 square feet. If the area is under 2,000 square feet the owner can do what he/she wants. In the space referenced by Peters, Zgura noted it is retail space, which is different from a convenience store.

According to Zgura, misinformation was being shared via social media regarding this issue.

A resident questioned if the expansion to include a smoke shop is a done deal.

Zgura told residents they would need to attend the zoning hearing board scheduled Aug. 11.

A member of the zoning hearing board, Ben Kohler encouraged residents to address the zoning board at this meeting. Kohler said a hardship variance could not be created.

Carter stopped the discussion from continuing and Solicitor Marc Fisher informed residents if “anybody has an interest, go to the zoning board meeting on Monday.”

Supervisor Chairman Dan Mohr said he would rather see an ice cream shop rather than a smoke shop while Zgura said he will keep his comments to himself about this issue.

Mohr reminded residents the Vera Cruz Homecoming is set Aug. 17 at Mystic Chain Park, Main Road East and organizers are always looking for help with the event.

Mohr also acknowledged it appeared improvements are being completed in the Jasper Ridge community. Carter confirmed the contractor was working on Stole, Mink and West Minor roads but Benjamin Court would have to wait until the end of September.

Haponski questioned why residents on Benjamin Court have to wait another two months. Carter explained the contractor had five days open for work and did not have enough time to prepare for Benjamin Court. Haponski was concerned there is no exit from Benjamin Court and marked sidewalks have still not been fixed. Carter said paving would be completed first, then the sidewalks. Haponski said “more timely communication” is needed because a parking lot issue surfaced due to residents only receiving an email communication about the parking situation on the morning of Aug. 7.

The next Upper Milford Township board of supervisors meeting will be 7 p.m. Aug. 21 in the township building, 5671 Chestnut St.