Lower Milford Board of Supervisors Adopts 9/11 Resolution

The Lower Milford Board of Supervisors, at its September workshop Thursday night (Sept. 1), adopted a resolution calling for a Moment of Remembrance for the 10^th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks. The board also discussed damage in the aftermath of Hurricane Irene.

Chairwoman Donna Wright and other supervisors read aloud the 9/11 Moment of Remembrance resolution from the U.S. Senate. The resolution means Lower Milford is joining with other municipalities in recognizing Sept. 11 as a day of national service and remembrance.

In adopting the resolution, the township agreed to have a moment of silence at 1pm EST to honor the sacrifices of those lost on 9/11 and the armed forces overseas.

Township Secretary Ellen Koplin reported on the damage left by Hurricane Irene. On Sunday morning, Aug. 28, utility crews and police were sent around the township. Wires and trees were down but no structural damage to buildings was reported, she said.

Limeport Pike was closed from Sunday to Wednesday due to a tree that brought down power lines. Crews could not remove the debris until the power was cut. Thirteen roads were damaged, but most have been repaired, she said.

 “It was a good recovery and went better than expected,” said Koplin.

Power outages were reported in the Beverly Hills area, Hosensack and Woodpalms, where it was not restored until Wednesday. Officials from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) were expected to arrive Friday (Sept. 2) to review the repairs to damaged roads.

“Thank our lucky stars we came through,” said Koplin.

Supervisor Michael Snovitch was one of many residents whose power was not restored until Thursday. Snovitch's home lost power early Sunday morning. He said he stayed at a motel and with relatives. He said he borrowed water from his neighbor's pool for bathroom use and received dry ice for his refrigerator from PPL.

Snovitch also bought water and had to visit the library or a nearby restaurant to use the Internet.

 “We were camping out on our deck,” Snovitch said of the ordeal.

The board also discussed tax assessment appeals for 50 lots in the Maplewood development. The lots are owned by the Gambon Brothers, who have appealed Lehigh County's reassessment of the land. The board has the right to send the township's tax solicitor to any appeal hearings but has declined.

In other matters, the board discussed the vendors for the Fall Festival to be held from 10am to 5pm on Saturday Sept. 24. Along with musical entertainment and a list of vendors, a new attraction will be Fido's Flying Flea Circus.

Vice chairman William Roy added that owners of the grass lot across from the municipal building will allow parking for the festival.

Wright told an audience member who asked about a cost report for the festival, “We definitely will have one.”

Another topic was a proposal for a Memorial Tree and Bench Program for Lower Milford Community Park. Gary Campbell, chairman of the Recreation and Open Space Board, had offered a program for the board's approval, while Open Records Officer Gina Wooler proposed costs for new and existing trees.

The supervisors amended the memorial program to allow donors to adopt a tree that has been planted and to update prices as needed for new and existing trees. The supervisors also want to find uniform signage that can be purchased.

“We'll look forward to a resolution,” said Wright.

Hereford and Washington townships in neighboring Berks County sent the supervisors a Joint Municipality Plan for future land use. The supervisors tabled the discussion until they can further review the plan, but thanked the townships for informing them.

The supervisors will have its next meeting at 7:30pm on Sept. 15 at the