Middle Smithfield supervisors approve bids, large service payments and authorize minor PennDOT plan change

The Middle Smithfield Township Board of Supervisors on June 11 voted to accept a series of bids and approved routine disbursements to local emergency services while authorizing a minor PennDOT plan change for signal-related work near the elementary school on Route 209.

The board accepted a single materials bid from Eureka Stone for a project the solicitor read as $640,277.52. In a separate procurement the board approved an award for the 2026 seal-coating contract to Midland Asphalt at the unit price read in the packet as $2.72 (the transcript did not specify the measurement unit). The motions were made, seconded and carried on voice votes.

David Keatley, the township’s acting solicitor with Brimin Bean and Thatcher, reported on the executive session and said that the board had discussed "potential litigation involving the Four Seasons Diner at 5000 Milford Road," but declined to provide further detail because "that would violate the attorney client privilege." He also noted the township received a zoning hearing board application for 116 Hugan Lane dated June 1 that may appear on a future agenda.

Treasurer reports prompted motions to pay operating bills from the general fund and the sewer fund; the board also approved disbursements to local emergency services. The treasurer read checks and allocations including $217,870 for Bushkill Emergency Corps, $54,457.78 for Lehman Pike, and $79,649 for Bushkill Fire; the package of payments distributed to several agencies totaled about $486,858.47.

Engineer Ben briefed the board on a minor, late PennDOT change to plans for the Route 209 signal area. Ben said PennDOT added a bid item and repositioned one camera after the plans had already been signed and recommended allowing PennDOT to add that small note to the already-signed plans rather than reprinting the contract documents. "From our perspective it's a very minor thing," Ben said; the board voted to authorize PennDOT to add the notation and asked staff to request a copy of the finalized, signed plans for the township’s records.

Under new business the board approved waiving a banner fee for the county commissioners’ parade and preliminarily approved one of four Revitalized Route 209 grant applications. The Dunkin’ Donuts application seeks $9,850 toward a $19,700 exterior-improvement project (canopy replacement, siding and lighting); the board gave preliminary approval to move the application forward pending paperwork and meeting grant deadlines.

The meeting closed after a public-comment period in which residents pressed for safer traffic controls at the Route 209 and Hollow Road intersection and discussed local development projects. The board adjourned following a motion and second.

Ending: The board took several routine fiscal and procurement actions, authorized a minor technical change to PennDOT plans, and advanced one local revitalization grant for further review; the zoning application for 116 Hugan Lane and potential litigation involving the Four Seasons Diner were noted as ongoing matters.