The Upper Milford Township Board of Supervisors met May 21 where Chair Angela Ashbrook announced an executive session was held before the regular meeting to discuss a legal and personnel matter. After there were no public comments, the board approved the minutes and payment of bills.

Solicitor Marc Fisher led the public hearings for zoning ordinances No. 175 and No. 176 which involved a comprehensive revision to the township’s zoning ordinance from 2010. Fisher reported the public notices of the hearings and advertisements were made in the East Penn Press for two weeks in April. Letters were sent to the Lehigh Valley Planning Commission, the Borough of Alburtis, Upper Milford and Lower Milford townships. All notified appreciated the ability to review the proposal of amendments and offered no questions or comments. The township planning commission also recommended approval. There were no public comments on the issues and the board approved both ordinances.

In new business, the board approved permission to send an offer letter to D. B. of Macungie for the open public works position at $23 per hour.

The board also listened to the Ordinance No. 177 Draft Recreation Commission. Township Manager Bud Carter reminded the board the draft involves a change for the park and recreation committee to include a five-member board and two alternates. Ashbrook inquired about how existing members will determine the members and alternates. Carter suggested using terms in which those with the longest terms could be members and those with the shortest terms could be alternates. Carter acknowledged this issue is something the committee needs to discuss.

Supervisor Dan Mohr inquired about a stolen brass sign from Jasper Park. Carter explained the sign will be replaced; but will be made of something other than brass.

In new business for the planning commission, the board approved the waiver request letter contingent on land development approval for 6331 Batman Road by Nikola Enterprises. Planning Manager Brian Miller read a letter with the applicant’s requests and said the planning commission recommends approval.

Ashbrook questioned how the land will be utilized. A representative from Newton Engineering explained the land will be utilized for tradespeople. It was described as “more of a storage facility than a workshop, a tradespeople headquarters,” he said. The land is located at the corner of Chestnut Road and Batman Road which is a triangular area. There were no public comments and the motion for land development was also approved.

Ashbrook shared Lauren Haponski’s report for the recreation committee which included the need for parking signs at Jasper Park for events, more flatgrass space/fields for the increasing number of participants involved in sports and the need for running water in the concession stand.

Carter said when the sewer was put in, since the concession stands are lower than the restrooms, this could have impacted the running water at the concession stand. Miller agreed and noted at that time there was discussion about another concession stand being built somewhere else to allow for running water.

The discussion also included a Boy Scout project involving the path to the parking lot. Miller said there are no lines for parking in the stone lot which can limit the number of cars that park there. Carter added parking is a challenge at the park.

Mohr said rain date makeups force back-to-back games that can bring in volumes of people with a short turn around time in between games. Resident Shelly Zgura asked about the old Vera Cruz school and if this could be used for additional parking? Carter said that area is private property. Mohr noted the upper entrance is now closed and there is only one way in and one way out. There were comments about other areas to consider for additional parking and possibly securing grants to improve the parking at Jasper Park.

Supervisor John Zgura reported the next 250th meeting will be held at the township building 6:30 p.m. May 27.

Mohr reported the Vera Cruz Community Association is looking for a food vendor(s) for the annual homecoming event held noon to 8 p.m. Aug. 16. They specifically are seeking a vendor who can provide french fries. Interested vendors can contact Mohr at the township. Mohr said a stage has been secured for the event and the collection of ads for the booklet will continue through June.

Finally, Mohr noted an issue with the state’s “clean up” of stones on Main Road East. He said the “chip and tar was placed on the road, but they did not patch the pothole.” He suggested spraying an orange circle around the pothole to help motorists avoid it.

The next meeting will take place 7 p.m. June 4 in the township building, 5671 Chestnut St., Zionsville.