Upper Milford approves 2023 budget; real-estate millage held at 0.45 mills

Upper Milford Township’s Board of Supervisors voted Dec. 1 to approve the township’s 2023 budget and to set the real-estate tax millage at 0.45 mills, the board said during a regular meeting at the Township Building in Old Zionsville.

Supervisor Joyce K. Moore moved to approve the budget, which includes a planned loader purchase and a 4% pay increase for township employees; Supervisor Daniel J. Mohr seconded the motion. Supervisor John D. Zgura voted no, and Moore and Mohr voted yes, carrying the measure on a 2–1 vote.

The millage rate was set by Resolution 2022-039, approved unanimously without change from 2022. The board described the millage action as maintaining current tax levels while finalizing the operating plan for next year.

Why it matters: the budget determines township spending priorities including capital purchases and personnel costs for the coming year. During discussion, resident Phil Casey asked whether funds removed from the capital reserve after the 2007 purchase of Kings Highway School had been replenished; Treasurer Jessi O’Donald said staff has been returning funds when possible at year-end and noted that moving money from capital reserve to the general fund requires a formal motion and resolution so residents would be notified.

Other board actions taken at the meeting included:

Votes at a glance: - Approval of payment of bills and bank transfers (General Fund checks 21733–21754 totaling $34,705.44; Escrow Fund checks 171–172 totaling $4,000; Transfers No. 2022-082 to 2022-084): motion by Supervisor Moore, seconded by Supervisor Zgura; unanimous, motion carried. - Adoption of Resolution 2022-039 setting real-estate millage at 0.45 mills: motion approved unanimously. - Approval of 2023 Emmaus Public Library agreement ($46,701 payable in four installments): motion approved unanimously. - Direct staff to invest $500,000 from the Western District Major Fire Fighting fund into PLGIT’s 270-day term, with principal and proceeds returned to the class-level account at term end: motion by Supervisor Moore, seconded by Supervisor Zgura; unanimous, motion carried. Board members noted that PLGIT would assess a penalty for early withdrawal. - Grant 180-day time extensions for several subdivisions and land developments (Jerome Goldstein; Indian Creek Industrial Park and related lots; 4054 Chestnut St.; 6334 Chestnut St.) through June 30, 2023: motion approved unanimously. - Grant Credit Release No. 1 for Fields at Indian Creek—Allen Street Light in the amounts of $127,245.18 and $34,374.73, per Township Engineer Jeffery Ott’s letters dated Nov. 30, 2022: motions approved unanimously. - Acceptance of resignations from Roselyn and Robert Parry from the Recreation Commission: motion approved unanimously. In their letter, Roselyn Parry wrote, “Please accept our resignations from the Upper Milford Recreation Commission.”

In other business, Supervisor John D. Zgura proposed investing ARPA funds in a PLGIT term and directing principal and interest earned to fire-company reserve accounts to support requested equipment (the Western District has sought $100,000–$125,000 toward a compressed air/foam system for a new truck). The board agreed to place that proposal on the next meeting agenda; Chief Kline said the scheduling change would not delay the department’s truck ordering process.

Supervisor Daniel J. Mohr asked for an update on the Vera Cruz Road bridge over the Turnpike; Manager Edward Carter reported there had been no update since mid-December. Lisa Marten of the Emmaus Public Library expressed thanks for the Township’s continued support.

The meeting record shows several routine administrative approvals alongside the larger budget vote. The board signed the minutes on Dec. 15, 2022. The next meeting agenda will include the ARPA investment proposal for further action.