Upper Milford Seeks Proposals for a new Township Engineer

Concerns with the township’s long-time engineer prompted the Upper Milford supervisors to vote March 3 to seek requests for proposals from other engineering firms.

The current engineer, T& M Associates of Bethlehem, will be able to submit a proposal as well, in an attempt to continue serving the township.

T & M Associates has served as Upper Milford’s engineer for about 11 years. However, during the supervisors previous meeting on Feb. 17, Supervisor Robert Sentner began to question whether the township needs to make a change.

Sentner was concerned that T & M had submitted the highest bid for engineering fees for a project to renovate the Yeakels Mill Road bridge. The lowest bid, $24,500, was submitted by Rettew Associates of Allentown. T& M Associates bid $119,510.

During the meeting March 3, Sentner said this was the second time that T& M Associates had submitted a high bid for a project in the township.

“We need to look for a smaller firm, a little more personal maybe,” Sentner said. “We can try a different engineering firm. If it doesn’t work, try a different engineer. We need something to fit the small, rural community we are.”

Russell Benner of T & M Associates, who was sitting in the audience, took issue with that concern. Benner cited several other, small communities served by his engineering firm, adding, “We understand the needs these small townships have ... We offer services that smaller engineering companies can’t offer.”

Benner said the engineering proposal for the Yeakels Mill Road bridge was “a challenging proposal to put together.” But his firm tried to present a plan that would give the bridge a longer life, Benner said. “It gave the township a very good idea of what could be done.”

“It’s fine if you have an open checkbook,” Sentner said. “But as a supervisor, I’m looking at ways to save taxpayers money.”

Sentner said he trusts the work of the engineering firm, but his concerns are purely financial. “All of us sitting here realize what kind of financial straits that we are in,” Sentner said. “This is strictly dollars and cents to me.”

Supervisors Chairman Steven Ackerman made a motion for the township to seek requests for proposals for engineering services for Upper Milford. Sentner and Supervisor Daniel Mohr made the vote unanimous.

However, prior to the vote, Ackerman acknowledged that a change in engineering firms has ramifications to be considered, including the fact that there are subdivisions under way.

Also, he said, “There’s going to be a learning curve, to learn the geology and so forth with all that happens here.”

Benner asked if T & M Associates could respond to the request for proposals as well. Ackerman agreed, and assured Benner, “You’d be given a fair review.”