Upper Milford Could Close Township Office Once a Week

Upper Milford Township Manager Daniel DeLong approached the Board of Supervisors at its Feb. 16 with a proposal to close the township office for walk-in business one day each week.

“Closing the office (to the public) one day per week will allow employees to get work done that cannot be done when people keep coming in,” he said. “People can still make appointments. It would only be closed for walk-ins.”

Supervisor Robert Sentner said the township office is under-staffed, and he is in favor of DeLong’s request. Sometimes the office staff is called away from their duties every 15-20 minutes to attend to walk-in business, he said.

“I have been here many times, and some days it’s like a revolving door,” Sentner said. “The staff always attends to (people’s) needs immediately. This township goes above and beyond to help people.”

Dan Mohr, supervisors chairman, agreed with Sentner saying, “Other municipalities don’t give the undivided service like we do. (Officials) will be in their offices and not come out if busy.”

Supervisor George DeVault took another point of view.

“People question if the township office could be open different hours. Some can’t get here because they work past 4:30 p.m. when the office closes,” he said. 

Discussion continued between DeLong, the supervisors and audience members:

• Members of the audience felt the doors to the township office should be open every day, saying township officials should be there to provide a service to the public when assistance is needed.
• Some members of the audience suggested the township office remain open either late one evening or on a Saturday morning to accommodate those individuals who work and cannot get to the office during regular business hours without taking off.
• DeLong suggested hiring an outside company to do the payroll would free some staff time. He said he will check into costs for this option.
• The supervisors and DeLong discussed the possibility of not taking walk-in business if the staff member requested to be seen is involved with a project, and when finished, call the person back.

DeLong stressed to the supervisors that something needs to be done to alleviate the problem, and that he will speak to the office staff for their input and suggestions.

“I also want everyone to know that sometimes I am here working on a Saturday. If someone sees my truck, stops and taps on the (township building) door to talk to me, I let them in and help them if I can,” he said. “We need to come up with something. One person walking away upset is too many.”