Upper Salford supervisors voted to add three parcels of land to the township's agriculture security area on April 11.

            The three parcels of land – 105 acres at 2400 Shelly Road; 91.49 acres at 141 Old Skippack Road; and 84.35 acres at 493 Old Skippack Road – comprise an area that was formerly proposed for development by TH Properties. After a lengthy legal battle that went all the way to the state Supreme Court, TH Properties was prevented from building on the land.

            The land is now owned by the Mascaro family, which operates Salford Farms on the properties. Agriculture security area designation strengthens certain protections for farmers and is one of the first steps to preserving farmland.

            A special hearing of the Upper Salford Township Agricultural Security Area Advisory Board was held before the supervisors' meeting to make a recommendation on the parcels.

            Township Solicitor Stephen Imms detailed the major requirements for land to be accepted in the security area:  At least 10 acres per parcel and the soil must be actively used as agricultural with the goal of future/continuous use as same. He added that not all land in the security area needs to be open; some may be in wooded areas.

            During the hearing township Agriculture Security Board Chair Theodore Poatsy asked Albert DeGennaro, the attorney representing Salford Farms, whether the land is currently being farmed and used for agricultural purposes. DeGennaro responded that it was.

            After discussions about the benefits to the land owners and township, the board voted to recommend inclusion of the three parcels in an agriculture security area.

            Immediately after the hearing, the board of supervisors convened their meeting and voted to accept the recommendation of the advisory board.

            In other business, supervisors voted to apply for a grant from the state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources to connect Upper Salford Park with the Spring Mountain Ski Area. The new segment would run from the Hutt-Schirk farm, located along Schwenksville Road, down Spring Mount Road to the upper parking lot of the ski area.

            Supervisors also announced the dates for this year's concerts in the park: June 8, July 13, and Aug. 10.

            The Philadelphia Folksong Society will be conducting an Earth Day clean-up for land they use during the folk festival. The clean-up will occur on April 22, with folksong society members meeting at 10 a.m. at Upper Salford Park.   

            Supervisors also presented a citation to the Salford Hills Elementary School choral ensemble for its performance at the township's 275th anniversary last October. Music Director Pricilla Landis, who composed the song for the anniversary celebration, was present at the meeting to accept the citation. Landis expressed gratitude on behalf of the students.