MINUTES OF MEETING
MONTGOMERY TOWNSHIP BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
AUGUST 14, 2017
At 7:00 p.m. Chairman Candyce Fluehr Chimera called to order an executive session. In attendance were Vice Chairman Robert J. Birch, Supervisors Michael J. Fox and Richard E. Miniscalco. Supervisor Jeffrey W. McDonnell was absent. Also in attendance were Township Manager Lawrence Gregan and Township Solicitor Frank R. Bartle, Esquire.
Chairman Candyce Fluehr Chimera called the action meeting to order at 8:00 p.m. In attendance were Vice Chairman Robert J. Birch, Supervisors Michael J. Fox and Richard E. Miniscalco. Supervisor Jeffrey W. McDonnell was absent. Also in attendance were Township Solicitor Frank R. Bartle, Esquire, Township Manager Lawrence Gregan, Police Chief Scott Bendig, Director of Administration and Human Resources Ann Shade, Assistant to the Township Manager Stacy Crandell, Director of Planning Bruce Shoupe, Director of Recreation and Community Center Floyd Shaffer, Director of Information Technology Richard Grier, Public Works Director Kevin Costello, Public Information Coordinator Kelsey Whalen and Recording Secretary Deborah Rivas.
Following the Pledge of Allegiance, Chairman Candyce Fluehr Chimera called for public comment from the audience.
Under Public Comment, Dominic Calafati of 116 Pipers Place in Chalfont, PA requested approval from the Board of Supervisors to plant a memorial for a former Township resident. Mr. Calafati read a prepared statement which in summary requested the Board’s approval to plant a donated magnolia tree, along with a bench, as a memorial to a beloved son, brother and friend, James Riley Halek. Mr. Halek and his family lived on Red Haven Drive in the Township for the last 27 years. Mr. Halek recently passed away and this request is being made to create a memorial in his honor at Whispering Pines Park, which is adjacent to the Orchard Development. Mr. Calafati said that they will work with Township to select an appropriate location for the tree and have secured care and maintenance for the tree from installation and then throughout the lifetime of the tree. There will be no cost to the Township. After a brief discussion, Board members indicated their support for the installation of the tree. Supervisor Michael Fox recommended that the Shade Tree Commission and Township Landscape Architect assist with the selection of the location for the tree. Supervisor Michael Fox made a motion to allow the memorial as presented to go forward with the suggestion that the Shade Tree Commission be engaged to figure out the proper location for the planting. Chairman Candyce Fluehr Chimera seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
Solicitor Frank R. Bartle, Esquire announced that the Board had met in an Executive Session prior to this meeting to discuss various matters. The Board discussed one matter of personnel involving an individual committee appointment and a labor matter involving the police contract negotiations. The Board also discussed a potential matter of litigation regarding the Cutler Group and two matters of litigation. The first matter was Marvin Cohen vs. Montgomery Township Zoning Hearing Board and it is in the Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court, Number 2284CD-214. The second matter of litigation was Maureen Mirabella and John Mirabella v. Susan and William Villard, Susan and Robert Braun and Montgomery Township, which is in the Court of Common Pleas of Montgomery County and Number 210529477. Mr. Bartle stated that these matters are legitimate subjects of executive session pursuant to Pennsylvania’s Sunshine Law.
Chairman Candyce Fluehr Chimera made a motion to approve the minutes of the July 24, 2017 Board of Supervisors meeting, and Supervisor Michael J. Fox seconded the motion. The minutes of the meeting were unanimously approved as submitted.
Assistant to the Township Manager Stacy Crandell introduced representatives from local organizations who received annual donations from the Township. Richard Cirko from the Visiting Nurse Community Services organization accepted a check in the amount of $1,500. Jayne Blackledge from the North Wales Library accepted a check in the amount of $1,500. Kathy Arnold-Yerger from the Montgomery County Norristown Public Library accepted a check in the amount of $10,000 and Lisa Knapp Siegel from the Montgomery Township Historical Society accepted a check in the amount of $6,000. All representatives from these organizations provided updates to the Board on their activities over the past year and expressed gratitude to the Township for these donations which help to fund programs run by these organizations benefitting the residents of Montgomery Township.
Township Manager Lawrence J. Gregan reported that a vacancy currently exists on the Montgomery Township Planning Commission and resident David Fetzer, who is currently serving as an Alternate Member on the Planning Committee, has expressed an interest in the full member position. Resolution #1 made by Supervisor Michael Fox, seconded by Vice Chairman Robert J. Birch and adopted unanimously, accepted the resignation of David Fetzer from his position as an Alternate Member of the Township Planning Commission and approved his appointment to serve as a full member on the Township Planning Commission for a term to expire on January 1, 2020. Chairman Candyce Fluehr Chimera administered the Board/Commission Oath of Office to Mr. Fetzer.
Township Manager Lawrence J. Gregan reported that the Fire Department of Montgomery Township is recommending the appointment of Leo J. Morano to the position of Special Fire Police Officer. Mr. Morano has been interviewed by the Police Department and has been recommended for appointment to the position. Resolution #2 made by Supervisor Michael J. Fox, seconded by Supervisor Richard E. Miniscalco and adopted unanimously, appointed Leo J. Morano to the position of Special Fire Police Officer with the Fire Department of Montgomery Township. Chairman Candyce Fluehr Chimera administered the Special Fire Police Officer Oath of Office to Mr. Morano.
Township Manager Lawrence J. Gregan reported that the Department of Fire Services is seeking approval to purchase new fire hose and accessories for the department. This purchase was budgeted as a capital expenditure in the 2017 budget. Resolution #3 made by Supervisor Michael J. Fox, seconded by Vice Chairman Robert J. Birch and adopted unanimously, authorized the Department of Fire Services to purchase fire hose and hose accessories at a total cost of $15,964 from Witmer Public Safety Group, LLC.
Director of Planning and Zoning Bruce S. Shoupe reported that Kin Properties has requested that the eighteen-month maintenance period for the Sprint Store land development begin, and they have also requested an escrow release. Resolution #4 made by Chairman Candyce Fluehr Chimera, seconded by Supervisor Michael J. Fox and adopted unanimously, authorized a construction escrow release in the amount of $248.04 and the start of the maintenance period to begin on August 14, 2017 as recommended by the Township Landscape Engineer for the Sprint Store land development. The Township will retain $18,229.20 for the 18-month Maintenance Period Guaranty. The release is contingent upon payment of all Township Consultant fees.
Director of Planning and Zoning Bruce Shoupe reported that Evans Builders has requested a construction escrow release for the 1701 N. Line Street subdivision. Resolution #5 made by Vice Chairman Robert J. Birch, seconded by Supervisor Richard E. Miniscalco and adopted unanimously, authorized construction escrow release #1 in the amount of $41,611.00, as recommended by the Township Engineer for DelCiotto/Evans Builders minor subdivision, LDS 680.
Director of Planning and Zoning Bruce Shoupe reported that the project at 127 Stevers Mill Road, LDS 671, has reached the end of maintenance period and is ready to have the final escrow released. Resolution #6 made by Vice Chairman Robert J. Birch, seconded by Supervisor Michael J. Fox and adopted unanimously, approved the end of maintenance period and final escrow release in the amount of $5,297.20 for LDS 671 – 127 Stevers Mill Road.
Resolution #7 made by Chairman Candyce Fluehr Chimera, seconded by Vice Chairman Robert J. Birch and adopted unanimously, waived the permit fee in the amount of $100.00 for the special event permit for the Bharatiya Temple Ganesh Festival which will be held from August 24 through September 4, 2017.
Director of Recreation and Community Center Floyd Shaffer reported that the Fall Recreation Programs and Fees are ready for the Board’s consideration. The offerings of activities/programs provide a wide array of recreation, fitness and educational opportunities for Township residents of all ages and abilities. The program/activity schedule will be valid from September 18, 2017 through the end of December 2017. Resolution #8 made by Vice Chairman Robert J. Birch, seconded by Supervisor Michael J. Fox and adopted unanimously, approved the 2017 Fall Programs and Fee Schedule amendment as submitted.
A motion to approve the payment of bills was made by Chairman Candyce Fluehr Chimera, seconded by Supervisor Michael J. Fox, and adopted unanimously, approving the payment of bills as submitted.
There being no further business to come before the Board, the meeting adjourned at 8:45 p.m.