Seeds, Grass and Chicken Pot Pie Discussed at Lower Milford Township Meeting

It was a lighthearted township meeting as Lower Milford supervisors met for just under an hour to discuss some basic topics of interest, including grass, seeds and chicken pot pie.

Supervisor Michael Snovitch was not physically present, but called in via conference call from his location in South Carolina.

Up for discussion were the lawn mowing proposals offered by several landscaping companies in the area. The two with the lowest bids were JW Landscaping and D&D Maintenance, coming in with just a dollar difference in overall price.

Supervisor William Roy said that despite the township having used JW Landscaping over the past year, it should offer the contract to a local business like D&D. There was some debate about the quality and consistency of D&D’s service in previous years, but none of the supervisors felt it was anything to be held against the business.

Roy gave a heartfelt plea to allow D&D the opportunity to work within the township in which it pay taxes. He stated that D&D has a good reputation and should be able to work locally. After some debate regarding the wording and requirements of the motion, Roy moved to offer the contract to D&D with the option to review the quality of its work after four weeks of active mowing. The motion was passed unanimously.

The supervisors discussed the updated Census numbers and the impact the increase might have on the Southern Lehigh Public Library.  The Upper Saucon/Lower Milford/Coopersburg area has grown by 2,869 people in the last 10 years.

The concern is that Gov. Tom Corbett’s proposed budget cuts library funding by an additional 2 percent on top of a 30 percent cut by previous Gov. Ed Rendell.

Contrary to what the Lehigh County Planning Commission estimated, Lower Milford’s population grew by just 150 people. The county believed the township’s growth would be closer to 600. Most of the growth occurred in Upper Saucon Township, with a population increase of almost 24 percent since 2000.

Roy made a motion to advertise the road material and maintenance bids for 2011, and was seconded by Snovitch. The measure passed unanimously.

In new business, Erin Frederick, a representative of the Lehigh County Conservation District, sent a letter requesting that the township act as a sponsor and offer its municipal building parking lot as the start and finish location for the district's upcoming Sowing Seeds Charity Bike Ride, which will also include a 5-K Fun Run/Walk. As a sponsor, Lower Milford will be listed on all of the event's marketing materials.

This is the third year in which LCCD will host this event. Last year’s event brought more than 100 participants with numbers expected to be even higher this year.

In the past, the ride has begun at Jasper Park in Upper Milford Township with the route extending well into Lower Milford before returning. With the highly anticipated participation this year, Frederick believes a larger venue will be needed for the start and finish of the ride/race.

Bikers, runners and walkers will stop at farms in Upper Milford and Lower Milford for locally grown produce in an attempt to show support of local farming.

Sowing Seeds’ profits benefit Lehigh County’s Seed Farm (aka “The Seed Farm”), which was established on Vera Cruz Road in Upper Milford to “start and grow new sustainable farms and farmers and to support the development of a vibrant local food system.”

Lower Milford Township will not be asked to donate any money to act as a sponsor. Roy made a motion to allow the group to use the facility for free.

“Absolutely!” he said. “This is a great program. Given the high costs of fuel and given the demand for food worldwide, especially with recent tsunamis and droughts and so forth, I think it’s important to encourage our young ones to think about being farmers. What better place than Lower Milford Township? I’m encouraging my 12-year-old to do it. I think it’s a wonderful program and we should encourage it.”

Other surrounding boroughs and townships required several hundred dollars in order to allow the race to use their facilities.

There was little hesitation as the motion passed. Police Chief John Dondero had some questions concerning what might be required from his end. Chairperson Donna Wright assured him that those bases would be covered well before the event rolls out on Aug. 27.

In other business, several community days were announced, including the April 16 Clean-Up Day, which will be held from 8am to noon at the Municipal Building.

Last year, 125 people joined together to clean up local roads and properties. Due to Lehigh County’s lack of funds, there will be no formal event. However, the state Department of Transportation will still provide vests, gloves and other required gear.

Link Beverages will be donating water and soft drinks in addition to the hot dogs, which will be served after the event.

Roy supported it by saying, “What a great way to support your community. We even had an arm-wrestling competition [last year] over the last cookie! Let’s work together. Let’s get to know each other.”

Another date included the Community Park dedication at noon on April 30. State Rep. Justin Simmons will be in attendance. Kites will be supplied to children to decorate and fly throughout the afternoon as refreshments are served.

A member of the Lower Milford Fire Company was present to inform the supervisors of its newest addition to the menu – a chicken pot pie dinner – that will be held on from 4:30pm to 7pm on April 7.