MINUTES OF MEETING
MONTGOMERY TOWNSHIP BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
OCTOBER 11, 2016
At 7:00 p.m. Vice Chairman Candyce Fluehr Chimera called to order the executive session. In attendance were Supervisors Robert J. Birch, Michael J. Fox and Jeffrey W. McDonnell. Also in attendance were Township Manager Lawrence Gregan and Township Solicitor Frank R. Bartle, Esquire.
At 8:00 p.m. Vice Chairman Candyce Fluehr Chimera called to order the action meeting. In attendance were Supervisors Robert J. Birch, Michael J. Fox and Jeffrey W. McDonnell. Also in attendance were Township Solicitor Frank Bartle, Esquire, Township Manager Lawrence J. Gregan, Police Chief J. Scott Bendig, Director of Fire Services Richard Lesniak, Director of Finance Ami Tarburton, Director of Administration and Human Resources Ann Shade, Assistant to the Township Manager Stacy Crandell, Director of Planning and Zoning Bruce Shoupe, Director of Public Works Kevin Costello, Director of Recreation and Community Center Floyd Shaffer, Information Technology Support Tech Lance Allen and Recording Secretary Deborah Rivas.
Following the Pledge of Allegiance, Vice Chairman Candyce Fluehr Chimera announced that the Board of Supervisors would be welcoming a new member. Richard E. Miniscalco has been appointed to the Board of Supervisors and will be sworn in by Judge Joseph P. Walsh. Judge Walsh administered the Oath of Office to Mr. Miniscalco, who joined the other Board of Supervisors on the dais for the remainder of the Board meeting.
Vice Chairman Candyce Fluehr Chimera welcomed local high school student, Alison Panacek, who was attending the Board meeting as part of a class assignment.
Vice Chairman Candyce Fluehr Chimera called for public comment from the audience. Cliff Fitzgerald of 601 Ellison Drive asked the Board for an update on the punch list of items to be completed for the Montgomery Pointe Community. Township Manager Lawrence Gregan reported that the Township Engineer was scheduled to meet this coming Thursday with the association’s representative to get a status on the punch list items. Updates will be given regarding the concrete work and landscaping work that has been performed. Mr. Gregan confirmed that some of the punch list items that should have been completed by now are still outstanding and the Township has been working with the developer’s site manager to get the items scheduled as quickly as possible. Supervisor Michael J. Fox stated that the Township is pushing the developer as hard as possible to complete the work out there. Supervisor Fox reported on the work that was recently done on Enclave Boulevard, which was basically completed in about a two week period. Supervisor Fox reported that Enclave Boulevard was really a focus for the Board in particular because the Township wanted to be able to take dedication of that road as soon as possible so that buses can begin to use the road and come into the development for the safety of the children. A lot of the focus was spent on this road and there’s been a little bit of a delay on the remainder of the other items, but the completion of all of the items still remains a top priority with the Board.
Township Solicitor Frank Bartle announced that the Board had met in an executive session prior to this meeting and discussed two labor matters, one involving Police Department Collective Bargaining and the other involving Fire Department Collective Bargaining. Mr. Bartle stated that each of these matters are legitimate subjects of executive session pursuant to Pennsylvania’s Sunshine Law.
Vice Chairman Candyce Fluehr Chimera made a motion to approve the minutes of the September 26, 2016 Board of Supervisors meeting, and Supervisor Robert J. Birch seconded the motion. The minutes of the meeting were unanimously approved as submitted.
Director of Community Center and Recreation Floyd Shaffer reported that the Township’s 16th Annual Autumn Festival was a huge success because of the efforts of the Township staff and volunteers who contributed their time to serve in the various roles for the event. Mr. Shaffer recognized and thanked the Autumn Festival Committee, the employees of the Township and their families, the Environmental Advisory Committee, the Park and Recreation Board, the Senior Volunteer Committee, the Volunteer Medical Service Corps of Lansdale, the Fire Department of Montgomery Township, the Montgomery Township Police Department, the Montgomery Township Public Works Department, the North Penn High School Junior ROTC, the Pennbrook Middle School Volunteer Corps, the Montgomery County Public Library Bookmobile and the numerous residents of Montgomery Township. Resolution #1 made by Supervisor Michael J. Fox, seconded by Supervisor Robert J. Birch and adopted unanimously, acknowledged the volunteers and workers for their diligent contributions toward the success of Autumn Festival held on October 1, 2016.
Township Manager Lawrence J. Gregan reported that a vacancy currently exists on the Township’s Planning Commission. Township resident Andrew J. Terreri has expressed an interest in becoming a member of the Montgomery Township Planning Commission. Resolution #2 made by Supervisor Michael J. Fox, seconded by Supervisor Jeffrey W. McDonnell and adopted unanimously, appointed Andrew J. Terreri to serve as a member of the Montgomery Township Planning Commission with an existing four year term to expire on January 1, 2020.
Assistant to the Township Manager Stacy Crandell reported that staff received and opened bids on September 29, 2016 for the Leaf and Yard Waste Collection bid. The bids were reviewed and staff is recommending that the bid be awarded to the lowest responsible bidder, Advanced Disposal Services. The bid is based on a three year contract for a total cost of $81,075. Resolution #3 made by Supervisor Michael J. Fox, seconded by Supervisor Robert J. Birch and adopted unanimously, awarded the bid for Leaf and Yard Waste Collection and Disposal Services for a three year contract to Advanced Disposal Services, at a total cost of $81,075.
Director of Finance Ami Tarburton reported that the annual General Municipal Pension System State Aid allocation for 2016 has been received in the amount of $498,709.66, which is an increase of 17% from the 2015 allocation. The funds are allocated by the Township to the Police and Non-Uniformed Pension plans to offset a portion of the cost of these plans. Resolution #4 made by Supervisor Robert J. Birch, seconded by Vice Chairman Candyce Fluehr Chimera and adopted unanimously, accepted the recommendation to allocate the 2016 Act 205 General Municipal Pension System State Aid to the Police Pension Plan in the amount of $279,277.41 and to the Non Uniformed Employee Pension Plan in the amount of $219,432.25.
Director of Fire Services Richard Lesniak reported that the Department of Fire Services and the Fire Department of Montgomery Township are requesting the Board of Supervisors’ approval to submit applications through the Pennsylvania State Fire Commissioner’s Office annual Volunteer Firefighter/Volunteer Ambulance Service Grant program. Each grant application will be approximately $15,000.00 and is intended to fund the purchase of personal protective equipment and to replace mobile data computers. Resolution #5 made by Supervisor Robert J. Birch, seconded by Supervisor Jeffrey W. McDonnell and adopted unanimously, granted approval to submit applications to the PA Fire Commissioners Volunteer Firefighter/Ambulance Service Grant program for the purchase of personal protective equipment and mobile data computers in the amount totaling $30,000.00
Director of Fire Services Richard Lesniak reported that Firefighter Robert Hedden currently holds three certifications in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and submitted an application for renewal of those certifications for a new three year cycle (2013-2016). Firefighter Hedden is requesting approval to take a course titled “2015 International Building Code Implementation” and a course titled “Community Risk Reduction” to satisfy 48 of his required 45 Continuing Education credits for the current cycle. These courses are being offered through the New Jersey Center for Services at The Inn at Lambertville Station, Lambertville, NJ and Mercer County Fire Academy. These courses are free of charge. Resolution #6, made by Supervisor Michael J. Fox, seconded by Supervisor Robert J. Birch and adopted unanimously, authorized the out-of-state training for Firefighter Robert Hedden.
Director of Planning and Zoning Bruce Shoupe reported that the Township has received a request for a waiver of the formal land development process from Nappen & Associates for their property located at 201 Progress Drive, which is leased by Impact Thrift. The applicant is proposing the expansion of their parking lot. The company has grown and is now requiring additional parking for their employees. Nappen & Associates has indicated that they explored the feasibility of expanding the parking lot and have determined that an additional 32 spaces can be added. They would also connect the two existing driveways, enhancing the vehicular circulation around the building. The traffic movement will be reviewed by the Township’s Traffic Engineer. Resolution #7 made by Supervisor Michael J. Fox, seconded by Supervisor Robert J. Birch and adopted unanimously, approved the waiver of formal land development for 201 Progress Drive property.
Resolution #8 made by Vice Chairman Candyce Fluehr Chimera, seconded by Supervisor Michael J. Fox and adopted unanimously, approved the waiver of a special event permit fee for the Bharatiya Temple Ravan Effigy Burning.
A motion to approve the payment of bills, with the addition of a final invoice payment of $24,500.00 to E.R. Stuebner, was made by Vice Chairman Candyce Fluehr Chimera, seconded by Supervisor Michael J. Fox, and adopted unanimously, approving the payment of bills as submitted with the additional invoice.
There being no further business to come before the Board, the meeting adjourned at 8:28 p.m.