The Lower Milford Township Board of Supervisors meeting Oct. 16 began with a discussion between the supervisors and residents of the township regarding a recent paving project and the supposed shoddy execution thereof.

Jim Tobin, representative for the Maplewood Estates, has been reporting issues on behalf of the homeowners association every chance he is able. He presented to the board a series of pictures, including paving equipment being left on top of newly placed tar for two weeks, areas of pooling water, a utility line which has already been ripped out, holes dug for tree planting despite passing the first frost and more.

Tobin said all issues have been reported, but nothing has been received back from the township engineer. Instead, the comments back to him have been that he “shouldn’t be expecting a masterpiece, it’s just a road.”

Tobin’s two requests are for the residents of Maplewood Estates to be involved in the discussions and for the board to delay releasing funds given the completion of this project will likely cost the township money in the near or distant future.

Township Solicitor Mark Cappuccio said the settlement agreement pertaining to the work in question required the roads to be complete and then subject to review by the township engineer. Cappuccio referenced the reports before him during the meeting, further reinforcing the documentation stating the “work is complete.”

As the back and forth continued, Supervisor Lowell Linde eventually spoke up saying ponding of water is not right. Chair Ellen Koplin agreed. It was after this concession, Tobin and others continued their request for an additional inspection in order to protect the township from future undue expenses.

Cappuccio said he would reach out in the morning with the request for another, very specific, inspection and ensuing inspection report.

Tobin has concern for the future financials of the township, as those burdens ultimately circle back to impacting residents.

Following public comments, the meeting minutes from both the Sept. 18 regular meeting and the Oct. 2 workshop meeting were unanimously approved. In a similar fashion, the township treasurer’s report was read and approved, as was the authorization to pay October bills.

The administrator, zoning, public works and administrative assistant reports were all highlighted and accepted with no oppositions. It was mentioned the financial results from the fall festival will be addressed next month in the respective reports.

Addressing old business, the vacation of Janes Lane is reported to still be under review with the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation.

After taking a pause on moving forward with one of the security proposals for the public works garage presented during the last regularly scheduled board of supervisors meeting, a total of four proposals were received and discussed. Ranging from approximately $1,000 to $13,000, it was evident the security proposals were not proposing a like-for-like system. There was some discussion among the supervisors. Township Secretary Emily Fucci is now tasked with getting another quote from Hi-Tech Security Alarms to do the township building as well so there are not two different systems installed.

Koplin said PennDOT has denied the request to move forward with a brake retarder prohibition on Beverly Hills Road. In keeping with the unfortunate news, PennDOT has also stated to the board mirrors are no longer allowed on state roads; therefore, there will not be a mirror placed at Beverly Hills Road and Gable Drive.

As it pertains to new business, a new three-year Teamsters Local 773 contract beginning Jan. 1, 2026 with Lower Milford Township and the Public Works Bargaining Unit was approved.

The resolution authorizing eligible members to the 2024-2025 stipend recipients for Lower Milford Township Fire Company No. 1 was reviewed.

The board of supervisors is also the acting sponsor in the request for a Northampton/Lehigh County Local Share Assessment Grant for the replacement of the backstop fencing at Limeport Stadium, Inc.

Nearing the conclusion of the meeting, there were several items for discussion under correspondence.

A resident concern was presented over potential safety risks to non-permitted violations on a neighboring property on Chestnut Hill Church Road. Cappuccio said the building code official suggests litigation and Google Earth photos could be used to potentially spot the alleged non-permitted additions.

Another resident submitted a concern on school bus safety along Limeport Pike. Fucci said she will add this request for a stop sign with a blinking light to the growing list of open requests with PennDOT. She and the board feel between the myriad requests, as well as the newly-suggested alternative entrance to the turnpike in Emmaus as a means to possibly cut down Dillingersville Road traffic, the list is long enough to request a formal meeting.

The next regularly scheduled Lower Milford Township Board of Supervisors meeting will take place 6:30 p.m. Nov. 20.