The Upper Milford Township Board of Supervisors held an executive meeting before the general meeting Dec. 18 to discuss a personnel matter.

Public comment opened with one resident pointing out that at the last meeting, the board made a vote without allowing for public comment by Fields at Indian Creek Homeowners Association President Dave Skinner who was concerned about the township releasing credit to Kay Builders without the completion of work in the development.

Chair Dan Mohr told Skinner he would have to wait until the public comment section at the end of the meeting, which Skinner did.

The resident accused the supervisors of breaking the Sunshine Law which “gives the public the right to comment on issues before a decision takes place.” The resident said “Before a vote, there should be comment allowed. If this happens again I will take action.”

Skinner spoke next, sharing concerns for the drop in temperatures and with Kay Builders completing the work. Skinner thanked the board for its assistance with all the HOA issues this year.

Mohr asked Township Manager Bud Carter for any comments about the concrete issues. Carter said “Kay Builders is placing concrete at their own risk. If it breaks, they will need to redo it.”

After the minutes and payment of bills were approved, a long discussion ensued regarding the Jasper Ridge HOA revised parking plan. President of the HOA Scott Strahler and the HOA’s attorney said the HOA followed through with the board’s request from its June 5 meeting and received ⅔approval which included 90% of homeowners who voted in favor of the parking revisions.

The attorney asked, “What else can be done to get this approved?” Carter acknowledged that at the June meeting the board requested a ⅔ vote from the community and the HOA met this. He added the roads need to be met to fit the width for the one-sided parking. Supervisor Angela Ashbrook noted with the recent snow Dec. 14, cars were not cleared from the road for the plows and she was concerned about adding more parking to the road.

Strahler noted the roads are privately owned by the developer and there is no enforcement right now and was not sure how to respond to her concern.

“Who will enforce it (cars being parked on both sides of the street) when the township takes it over?” Supervisor John Zgura asked. Strahler said the state police will be responsible for enforcing the parking once the township roads are dedicated.

Ashbrook asked what happens when the township takes over roads and cars are not removed for plowing. Strahler assured her he will do what he can to make sure cars are cleared from the road for plowing before a snow event.

Zgura was not convinced this revision plan would be effective. Mohr agreed with Zgura that he could not envision the state police issuing parking tickets in this neighborhood. Carter agreed it will be hard to get state police out to give tickets but wondered if the township could issue tickets.

Strahler said the original plan should have included no parking and pointed out whether it is parking on one side or both sides, the enforcement would be no different.

A resident commented there are neighboring streets more narrow than Jasper Ridge and parking is permitted on both sides. Snow removal takes place on these streets.

Solicitor Marc Fisher noted “the roads right now are privately owned by the developer and the township cannot enforce anything. If the township follows through, there will need to be a revised plan to be signed off by the developer and the HOA. This revised plan will come before the board for final approval. There can be no enforcement until the roads are dedicated and the township takes ownership,” he said.

Zgura said he is not voting on anything right now. He noted 123 homeowners voted but 12 people did not vote. Zgura suggested when the township takes over the roads, bags be placed over the parking on one side for a six month trial run. He suggested sending an email explaining the homeowners cannot park where there are no signs. “The state police are not coming in for this,” Zgura said.

Strahler countered the board asked for votes and 67% were affirmative votes. “You asked, we got it,” Strahler pointed out. Zgura said he wants to see how this turns out with a trial run. Although in agreement with Zgura, Ashbrook noted she does not want a crowded room when people are complaining the roads are packed. Strahler asked if the board is concerned people will not comply with the revision plan.

Zgura predicted parking on both sides will continue but said the liability then falls on the homeowner if their car is parked in a no parking area.

Resident Mark Hendricks commented there are not enough signs to discourage the parking.

Resident Phil Casey was concerned the parking issue could result in neighboring disputes.

Another resident on Mink Road said people need to be held accountable. “I have a strong opinion that this [it] is important for our neighborhood that we have parking available. Demarcations are not clear like yellow [so that] you cannot park there. When this gets underway, the email can go out [that] we are told that this is it ... and if you are parked illegally, I can call the state police.”

Ashbrook supported the yellow curb painting to avoid confusion. Zgura questioned who would be responsible for paying for the yellow curb painting and wants the HOA to pay for the maintenance of this. “This could become an expensive mess with the yellow paint,” he said. Zgura was concerned about the township’s liability and the snowplowing. Carter asked for the HOA’s help to provide information regarding car information to send notices to violators.

Zgura suggested painting the lines, completing a trial run and if the township gets too many complaints, then there will be a return to the parking on both sides of the street.

Carter reminded the board the earliest dedication of roads would not take place until summer of 2026.

Another resident said, “112 people voted for this. We need a fully thought out plan. We brought our lawyer and engineer. Lots of time was put into this and it is unfair to send us back with another goalpost to see how this turns out.”

Zgura reminded her nothing will happen until summer. He questioned why the township should address 30 calls a month about cars parked on the wrong side of the street?

“This is costing all the taxpayers money for a problem in this neighborhood. Cars will be parked on both sides of the street regardless. You bought houses and in your deeds it provided parking on both sides of the street. I’m not sending a guy down there every day to deal with this parking issue,” Zgura said.

Strahler reminded the board the people voted for this (one side of street parking only).

Carter added winter is not conducive to painting spots. Fisher noted the problem with a trial run is if it does not work, the board will need to do something to undo the trial run which results in more concerns. Strahler reiterated Kay Builders own the roads and not the HOA.

Ashbrook reminded the residents they bought the homes with the understanding of the parking issue. Now the HOA is making this a township issue.

Each house has a minimum of two spots. There is also an available parking lot. The homes also have garages but these appear to be used for storage rather than cars.

“This would not be an issue if Kay Builders had put in for one side of parking only. People purchased property thinking there was no parking there; HOA voted for this and I would approve this for them,” Zgura said.

Fisher said the motion to approve the proposal for no parking is contingent upon a formal record plan to come before the board and signed by both the developer and HOA; signage and lines to be paid for by other than the township determined by township staff.

Carter asked the HOA to install the signs and cover the cost of the lines. However, Strahler said he cannot make that decision. The motion was approved by Mohr and Ashbrook. Zgura voted against it.

In new business, the board approved the Barker & Barker Agreement for the Lenape Park completion from the General Fund PLGIT 7209 in the amount of $436,842.75. Fisher said this approval resolves the matter. Zgura abstained from this vote.

The board also approved a May 1, 2026, extension for the Salem Bible Church culvert to complete the potential punch list and blacktop. Carter said the box culvert is installed and the road was to be opened by the end of the day Dec. 19.

The request for truck restriction signs to be posted by Lower Milford Township on Upper Milford Township property was denied. Planning Coordinator Brian Miller shared a letter from Lower Milford Township asking for signs to be posted at the intersection of Church View Road and Dillingers Road. Zgura was concerned the signs say “45 feet trucks not trailers.”

Carter noted the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation owns that portion of the road and it is not restricted. Only the Lower Milford part is restricted. Carter said the signs are posted already in Lower Milford and noted the board will not permit Lower Milford to post signs in Upper Milford for this issue.

While the Emmaus Library Agreement for 2026 was listed on the agenda, it was not addressed by the board at this meeting.

In new business for the planning commission, a time extension was granted for 3001 Second St. in Emmaus. The new single family home request is set to expire Dec. 31. Paperwork will be completed for an extension to June 30, 2026.

In subdivision new business, the board approved Credit Release No. 8 for the Fields at Twin Run in the amount of $310,685.76.

Lastly, Carter reported public works received its new truck into service for plowing.

In closing remarks, the board wished all the residents happy holidays and a Happy New Year. There were no additional public comments.

The next meeting will take place 7 p.m. Jan. 5, 2026, in the township building.