MINUTES OF MEETING

MONTGOMERY TOWNSHIP BOARD OF SUPERVISORS

FEBRUARY 13, 2012

 

            Chairman Candyce Fluehr Chimera called the executive session to order at 7:00 p.m.   In attendance were Supervisors Robert Birch, Michael Fox, Jeffrey McDonnell and Joseph Walsh.  Also in attendance were Lawrence Gregan, Frank R. Bartle, Esquire, Ann Shade, Bruce Shoupe, Robert Brandt, Esquire.  Three personnel matters, one litigation and two potential litigation matters were discussed.

            Chairman Candyce Fluehr Chimera called the regular action meeting to order at

8:03 p.m.  In attendance were Supervisors Robert Birch, Michael Fox, Jeffrey McDonnell and Joseph Walsh.  Also in attendance were Frank R. Bartle, Esquire, Lawrence Gregan, Valerie Liggett of Boucher & James, Joseph Platt, P.E. of Traffic Planning & Design, Richard Brady, Scott Bendig, Bruce Shoupe, Kevin Costello, Rick Lesniak, Ann Shade, Shannon Drosnock, Rich Grier, Sharon Tucker, Vickie Zidek, Stacy Crandell and Shirley Snyder.

            Following the Pledge of Allegiance, Chairman Chimera called for public comment from the audience and there was none. 

Frank R. Bartle, Esquire reported that the Board met in an executive session earlier in the evening at 7:00 p.m.  Mr. Bartle reported that there were three personnel matters, two matters of potential litigation and the Gateway D. C. Properties litigation.  Mr. Bartle reported that all of these matters are legitimate subjects of executive session pursuant to Pennsylvania's Sunshine Law.  

            Supervisor Joseph Walsh made a motion to approve the minutes of the

 January 23, 2012 Board meeting and Supervisor Michael Fox seconded the motion.  The minutes of the meeting were unanimously approved as submitted.

            Stacy Crandell, staff liaison to the Senior Committee, introduced Jacqueline Volk and Adele Herman who have expressed an interest in becoming members of the Senior Committee.   Resolution #1 was adopted unanimously appointing Jacqueline Volk and Adele Herman to the Senior Committee with a term ending January 1, 2013.

            Lawrence Gregan announced that Jennifer Petruccelli, Esquire has resigned from her position as an Alternate Zoning Hearing Board member, effective immediately, and Amy Saylor has resigned from her position as Projects Coordinator in the Planning and Zoning Department.  Resolution #2 was adopted unanimously and accepted the resignation of Jennifer Petruccelli, Esquire from her position as Alternate Zoning Hearing Board member and thanked her for her dedication and service to Montgomery Township.  Resolution #2 further accepted the voluntary resignation of Amy Saylor from her position as Projects Coordinator in the Planning and Zoning Department and thanked her for her commitment to public service during her employment at Montgomery Township.

            Director of Fire Services, Rick Lesniak introduced Fire Department of Montgomery Township (FDMT) President Alex Olimpo and Fire Chief Bill Wiegman, who introduced the 2012 Operational and Administrative Officers of the FDMT & FDMT Relief Association.   Resolution #3 was adopted unanimously  recognizing and congratulating the FDMT and FDMT Relief Association  Leadership for 2012.

            Rick Lesniak announced that the FDMT has been awarded a grant in the amount of $11,943.71 from the Pennsylvania State Fire Commissioner's Annual Volunteer Firefighter/Volunteer Ambulance Service Grant Program.  The Grant Funds will be used for the purchase of three multi gas meters and retrofitting six self contained breathing apparatus to include "buddy-breather" systems.  Resolution #4 was adopted unanimously granting approval to the FDMT to accept the Pennsylvania Fire Commissioners Volunteer Firefighter/Ambulance Service Grant.

            Rick Lesniak also presented a proposal to submit a grant application under the Fiscal Year 2011-2012 Firefighters Activity SAFER Grant program.  The program provides grant funding to assist local fire departments to increase staffing and provide more adequate protection from fire and fire-related hazards.  Rick Lesniak proposed using the grant monies, if we are awarded a grant, for the hiring of two (2) full time career firefighters.  Michael Fox inquired whether the Township has been successful in previous attempts in applying for this grant.  Lawrence Gregan stated that the Township has not been successful in being selected to receive this grant money in past years.   Resolution #5 was adopted unanimously approving the application for the Fiscal Year 2011-2012 Hiring of Firefighters Activity SAFER Grant in the amount of $350,000.

            Michael Sultanik, retired Finance Director of Upper Gwynedd, and a member of the Pennsylvania East Chapter of GFOA was in attendance and presented Montgomery Township with a plaque which recognizes the Township for its Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR) for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2010.  Receipt of this award recognizes that Montgomery Township has gone beyond the minimum requirements of generally accepted accounting principles to prepare comprehensive annual financial reports that evidence the spirit of transparency and full disclosure of all records.

            Joseph Platt, P.E. of Traffic Planning and Design was present and provided an update on the active and pending Transportation Improvement Projects in the Township.  He reported that: 

  • Route 202 Parkway Section 65N, Welsh Road improvements, although a little behind schedule due to utility coordination issues is anticipated to be completed in 2012.
  •  Route 202 Parkway Section 711, from Horsham Road to County Line Road, most of the paving is complete, with the landscaping and trails still being worked on.  The targeted completion for this Section is September 2012.
  • In the County Line Road Project (Section WD1) the road widening, excavation work and stormwater infrastructure are presently being installed.  Foundations for the sound walls are also being constructed.  County Line Road widening project has an anticipated completion date of December 2012. 
  • Approvals have been received for the repairs and refurbishing of the Limekiln Pike Bridge. The target date for the advertisement of bids for this project is in February.  The anticipated start date on the bridge work is March 2012, with the work scheduled to be completed by August 2012.
  • Final design and right-of-way acquisitions for County Line Road widening project, (Section WD-2) between Stump and Limekiln Pike are underway.  Anticipated completion date for this project is sometime in the fall of 2014.
  • Final design and right-of-way acquisitions are underway for the improvements to the Five Points Intersection.  This project is expected to start in 2014 and take about one year to complete. 
  • Signalization project 71 1T is in design and proposes the upgrading of traffic signals from the Five Points Intersection to Stump Road.   A central computer has been installed in the Police Department which will monitor the intersections.             

Stacy Crandell reported that the Solicitor and staff have created a Content Neutral Policy for Montgomery Township, which outlines guidelines the for providing content neutral, accurate and timely information to Township residents.  This policy covers all Township communication vehicles including, but not limited to, the website, cable channel, e-news, marquee and newsletters.  The Content Neutral Policy will work in accordance with the previously approved Social Media Policy.  Resolution #6 was adopted unanimously approving the Content Neutral Policy dated February 2, 2012.

            Ann Shade, Director of Administration and Human Resources, reported that new laws affecting retirement plans, such as the 401(a) Money Purchase Pension Plan (MPPP), currently offered to qualifying non-uniform employees,  are enacted by Congress every year.  In order to comply with the new regulations, our MPPP, which is on a six-year restatement cycle, needs to be restated at this time.  This restatement plan has been reviewed by Benefit Consultants Group, third party administrator for the plan, and found to be in compliance with the current IRS rules and regulations.  Resolution #7 was adopted unanimously approving the Amended and Restated 401(a) Non-Uniform Employee Money Purchase Pension Plan Document and Summary Plan Description.

            Sharon Tucker, Recreation Coordinator provided a summary of the 2012 Autumn Festival plans.  Autumn Festival will be held on Saturday, October 13, 2012 from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. with no rain date.  As part of the committee's fundraising efforts, a solicitation letter is sent to businesses in the Township seeking various levels of sponsorship in order to fund the activities at the Festival.  Resolution #8 was adopted unanimously approving the 2012 Autumn Festival Solicitation letter and brochure.

            Lawrence Gregan announced that the Montgomery Township Municipal Sewer Authority has been advised by Ambler Borough that it is required to adopt regulations to implement EPA Regulations relating to Pretreatment of Wastewater relating to Slug Discharge Control Plans and reporting requirements relating to Slug Discharges that would be discharged for treatment to the Ambler Wastewater Treatment Plant.   In order to comply, the Township is required to adopt amendments to the Township Code, Chapter 187 - Sewers adopting these regulations.  Resolution #9 was adopted unanimously authorizing Ordinance #12-255 which provides amendments to Chapter 187 of the Township Code relating to Pretreatment of Wastewater, relating to Slug discharge Control Plans and reporting requirements relating to Slug discharges necessitated by the adoption of revised requirements by the Environmental Protection Agency.

            Deputy Chief Scott Bendig reported that all emergency police calls are now being handled through Montgomery County 911 Dispatch Center.  The transition to the County system went smoothly.  As part of the transition, about 32 radios have been made available for use by the Montgomery Township Police Department, at no cost to the Township.  He also reported that the Police Department is preparing to renovate the existing Police Communications Center and is proposing the purchase of radio equipment to replace the existing radio equipment, which is over sixteen years old.  This equipment will be integrated with proposed improvements to the Township's Emergency Operations Center.  These upgrades will allow Montgomery Township to pick up emergency calls in the event that the County system would not be working.  Resolution # 10 was adopted unanimously awarding the contract for the purchase of radio equipment for the Police Radio Room to Motorola Inc., an authorized vendor under the Co-Stars Cooperative Purchase program at a cost of $14,407.20 per quote and specifications dated January 8, 2012.  Supervisor Joseph Walsh inquired whether any municipalities opted to retain their own dispatching services.  Deputy Chief Bendig reported that Upper Merion is the only municipality that did not transition over to the County system.

            Resolution #11 was adopted unanimously approving the final escrow release for Nolan Self Storage LD/S #615.

            Director of Planning and Zoning, Bruce Shoupe reported on a request by the Developer of the Montgomery Walk Project (LDS #627)  that the 18 month maintenance period for installed landscape  improvements be permitted to start as of December 14, 2011.   Valerie Liggett of Boucher & James, advised that changes to the species of trees in the landscaping have been made without approval by the Township and that they are not prepared to recommend an escrow release at this time.  However, they have inspected the landscape improvements installed and would recommend start of the maintenance period for some of the improvements installed to date.  Supervisor Michael Fox requested that the developer be notified and requested to not make any changes without Township/Landscape Architect approval.  Resolution #12 was adopted unanimously approving the start of the maintenance period for specified landscape improvements in the Montgomery Walk Development as approved by Boucher & James

            Resolution #13 was adopted unanimously and approved the escrow release for Montgomery Square United Methodist Church.

            Bruce Shoupe, Director of Planning and Zoning advised that a conditional use hearing was held on January 3, 2012 to consider the request by George Valdez of American Gymnastics to use the facility as an indoor athletic facility.  The Township Solicitors office has prepared the Formal Decision and Order for adoption to approve this application.  Resolution #14 adopted unanimously approved the Decision and Order for the Conditional Use for American Gymnastics located at 506 Stump Road.

            Supervisor Michael Fox made a motion to approve the payment of bills.  Supervisor Joseph Walsh seconded the motion.  The payment of bills was unanimously approved as submitted.

            Under other business, Motion #1 was made by Chairman Candyce Fluehr Chimera that the Board of Supervisors authorize the Solicitor to withdraw the opposition of the Township, before the Township Zoning Hearing Board, to the Gateway D. C. Properties application.  Motion #1 was adopted unanimously.

            Richard Roller, Northern Montgomery County Recycling Commission Representative presented the Township with a check for its share of the Recycling Performance Grant awarded to the Commission.  The recycling monies are divided between the eleven participating municipalities in the Commission,  with Montgomery Township's share for 2010 being $96,116.02.  Mr. Roller stated that checks in future years may be less, as the Department of Environmental Protection will be holding some of the money.

            There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 9:05 p.m.