MINUTES OF MEETING
MONTGOMERY TOWNSHIP BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
FEBRUARY 27, 2017
At 7:00 p.m. Vice Chairman Robert J. Birch called to order an executive session. In attendance were Supervisors Michael J. Fox, Jeffrey W. McDonnell and Richard E. Miniscalco. Chairman Candyce Fluehr Chimera was absent. Also in attendance were Lawrence Gregan, and Frank Bartle, Esquire.
Vice Chairman Robert J. Birch called the meeting to order at 8:06 p.m. In attendance were Supervisors Michael J. Fox, Jeffrey W. McDonnell and Richard E. Miniscalco. Chairman Candyce Fluehr Chimera was absent. Also in attendance were Township Solicitor Frank Bartle, Esquire, Township Manager Lawrence Gregan, Police Chief 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 Bruce Shoupe, Director of Public Works Kevin Costello, Director of Recreation and Community Center Floyd Shaffer, Director of Information Technology Richard Grier, Public Information Coordinator Kelsey McMeans and Recording Secretary Deborah A. Rivas.
Following the Pledge of Allegiance, Vice Chairman Robert J. Birch called for public comment from the audience and there was none.
Solicitor Frank Bartle announced that the Board had met in an executive session prior to this meeting and discussed two personnel matters, one regarding the Police Union and the other regarding the Fire Union. The Board also discussed potential matters of litigation and one legal matter, the Airport Square v. Montgomery Township Zoning Hearing Board (Montgomery County Court of Common Pleas – 2014-03708. Mr. Bartle stated that these matters are legitimate subjects of executive session pursuant to Pennsylvania’s Sunshine Law.
Vice Chairman Robert J. Birch made a motion to approve the minutes of the February 13, 2017 Board of Supervisors meeting, and Supervisor Richard Miniscalco seconded the motion. The minutes of the meeting were unanimously approved as submitted.
Chief of Police Scott Bendig reported that on February 24, 2017, Sergeant Daniel Mitchell retired from the Montgomery Township Police Department after 33 years of service to the community. Daniel Mitchell began his career with the Montgomery Township Police Department as a police officer in June of 1985. In 1990 Officer Mitchell was temporarily assigned to the Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office for a year, serving as a member of the County Detectives Narcotics Enforcement Team. Upon his return in 1991, Officer was assigned to the Department’s Detective Division. In June of 2000 Officer Mitchell was promoted to the rank or corporal. In June of 2002, Corporate Mitchell was promoted to the rank of sergeant. In addition to these duties Sergeant Mitchell has also served as a member of the department’s Special Operations Unit, firearms instructor, field training officer, and EVOC instructor. During his career Sergeant Mitchell has received six departmental commendations for his actions as an officer as well as numerous letters of appreciation from township residents and neighboring law enforcement agencies. Vice Chairman Robert J. Birch thanked Sergeant Mitchell for his dedication to the Township. Supervisor Michael J. Fox stated that it was always a pleasure to work with Sergeant Mitchell. Township Manager Lawrence J. Gregan stated that he worked with Sergeant Mitchell on three Police contract negotiations and he was always fair and honest and worked well representing his fellow officers during the negotiations. Resolution #1 made by Vice Chairman Robert J. Birch, seconded by Supervisor Michael J. Fox and adopted unanimously, recognized Sergeant Mitchell and expressed gratitude to him for his dedication and faithful service to the Montgomery Township Police Department and Montgomery Township community.
Public Works Director Kevin Costello reported that the bids for the annual Curb and Sidewalk project were opened on February 14, 2017. The Township Engineer, Gilmore and Associates, reviewed the bids and has provided a recommendation that the contract be awarded to the lowest responsible bidder, Olivieri & Associates, Inc., with a bid of $342,460.70. Resolution #2, made by Vice Chairman Robert J. Birch, seconded by Supervisor Richard Miniscalco and adopted unanimously, authorized the award of the 2017 Curb and Sidewalk project to Olivieri & Associates, Inc., with a bid of $342,460.70.
Public Works Director Kevin Costello reported that the bids for the 2017 In-Place Road Paving Project were opened on February 14, 2017. The Township Engineer, Gilmore and Associates, reviewed the bids and has provided a recommendation that the contract be awarded to the lowest responsible bidder, James D. Morrissey, Inc., with a bid of $469,174.80. Resolution #3, made by Vice Chairman Robert J. Birch, seconded by Supervisor Richard Miniscalco and adopted unanimously, authorized the award of the 2017 In-Place Road Paving Project to James D. Morrissey, Inc., with a bid of $469,174.80.
Director of Public Works Kevin Costello reported that staff received and opened bids on February 14, 2017 for the Spring Valley Hockey Court Reconstruction Project. The Township Engineer, Gilmore and Associates, Inc., reviewed the bids and made a recommendation to award the bid to the lowest responsible bidder, Top-A-Court, with a bid of $52,946.90. Resolution #4 made by Vice Chairman Robert J. Birch, seconded by Supervisor Richard E. Miniscalco and adopted unanimously, awarded the bid for the Spring Valley Hockey Court Reconstruction Project to Top-A-Court, for a total projected cost of $52,946.90.
Director of Administration and Human Resources Ann Shade reported that on April 11, 2016, the Board of Supervisors adopted a Directed Trustee Services Agreement for the 457b Deferred Compensation Plan. As a result of this agreement, the Adoption Agreement for the 457b Deferred Compensation Plan requires an update be reflected in Article VIII – Trust Provisions, 8.01(b) that “the Employer replaces the Trust with the Trust Agreement”. There are no other changes being made to the Adoption Agreement at this time. Resolution #5 made by Vice Chairman Robert J. Birch, seconded by Supervisor Richard E. Miniscalco and adopted unanimously, approved the revised 457b Deferred Compensation Plan Adoption Agreement.
Director of Recreation and Community Center Floyd Shaffer reported that the Spring/Summer 2017 Recreation/Fitness Programs and recommended fee schedule for the various activities has been prepared for the Board’s consideration and approval. The activities and programs offered provide a wide array of recreation, fitness and educational opportunities for Township residents of all ages and abilities. New programs have been added as well, including Adult Basketball and Volleyball Leagues, a Youth Dodgeball League, Mommy & Me Splash Park Workout, Cheer Clinic, Father’s Day Breakfast and a Culinary of Arts Trip. Resolution #6 made by Vice Chairman Robert J. Birch, seconded by Supervisor Jeffrey McDonnel and adopted unanimously, approved the 2017 Spring/Summer Programs and Fee Schedule amendment as submitted.
Director of Planning and Zoning Bruce Shoupe reported that in 2009, Montgomery Township initiated a program of naturalizing stormwater basins owned and maintained by the Township. The Shade Tree Commission has researched the benefits of naturalizing these basins and has identified additional basins to be entered into the Basin Naturalization Program. The following basins have had assessments completed by Boucher & James and inspections completed by DVIT and are now ready to be formerly entered into the Basin Naturalization Program: #3 – Pauline Circle, #12 – Heather Knoll, #20 – The Ridings, #46 – Mallard Pond, #47 – Montgomery Lea and #63 – Heather Lea. Resolution #7 made by Vice Chairman Robert J. Birch, seconded by Supervisor Jeffrey W. McDonnell and adopted unanimously, approved the acceptance of the above referenced stormwater basins into the Basin Naturalization Program and authorizes that a letter be sent to the residents located near the basins, notifying them of this program and also that a sign be posted at each basin location.
Director of Planning & Zoning Bruce Shoupe reported that the Township has received an application for a waiver of formal land development for the AMC 309 Cinema located in Horsham Township at the Gwynedd Crossing Shopping Center, #M-17-89. The existing 17.976 acre property contains a movie theater (309 Cinema), restaurant (Olive Garden), and a shopping center comprising of multiple stores. The proposed land development is for the movie theater only, which is contained on a 5.345 acre portion of the property. A portion of the development within Montgomery Township involves reconfiguration of the parking lot area, realignment of the internal drive aisle, removal and replacement of parking light standards and several landscape islands at the end of existing parking rows, the addition of sidewalk and island along the east side of the internal drive, and milling and overlay of paved surfaces. Developer Bruce Goodman presented an overview of the improvements proposed for the theater and answered questions from the Board. Mr. Shoupe reported that the Township staff and consultants have reviewed the plans and have recommended that the Board approve the waiver as requested. Resolution #8 made by Vice Chairman Robert J. Birch, seconded by Supervisor Jeffrey W. McDonnell and adopted unanimously, approved the waiver of a formal land development application for AMC 309 Cinema located at the Gwynedd Crossing Shopping Center.
A motion to approve the payment of bills was made by Vice Chairman Robert J. Birch, seconded by Supervisor Jeffrey W. McDonnell, and adopted unanimously, approving the payment of bills as submitted.
There being no further business to come before the Board, the meeting adjourned at 8:40 p.m.