Monday, July 14, 2008
Chairman Jeff McDonnell called to order the executive session at 7:00 p.m. In attendance were Supervisors Birch, Fox, Prousi and Sarosky. Also in attendance were John Nagel and Frank Bartle. Items of personnel were discussed.
Chairman McDonnell called to order the action meeting at 8:02 p.m. In attendance were Supervisors Birch, Fox, Prousi and Sarosky. Also in attendance were Frank Bartle, John Nagel, Bruce Shoupe, Rich Brady, Larry Gregan, Pam Gural-Bear, Kevin Costello and Shirley Snyder.
There was no public comment this evening.
Solicitor Frank Bartle announced that the Board had met in an executive session prior to this meeting and personnel matters were discussed.
Judith Starkin, former Zoning Officer, recently accepted a consulting role with Montgomery Township. Resolution #1 unanimously appointed Bruce S. Shoupe to the position of Interim Zoning Officer.
Chairman McDonnell presented a check to the Montgomery Township Historical Society in the amount of $6,000. Richard Roller accepted the check on behalf of the Historical Society and thanked the Board for the contribution. Richard Roller, Secretary of The PEAK Center, Inc. accepted the $2,500 check for that organization in the absence of Amy Cummings-Leight. Mr. Roller noted that The PEAK Center, Inc. will put the money to good use. Jane Brainard of the North Penn Visiting Nurse Association accepted and thanked the Board for the check in the amount of $1,500.
Bruce Shoupe informed the Board that the Zoning Hearing Board has been discussing various issues facing the Township concerning the sign regulations. Several of the current ordinances require updating. Proposed ordinance updates include clarifying the zoning code to state that signs are allowed on all four sides of a building, and prohibiting the "vehicular sign" trucks parked at specific locations for the primary purpose of advertising. Mr. Shoupe advised that these proposed ordinance updates will be discussed with the Business Development Partnership and with the Planning Commission this week. Following additional Board discussion on these issues, it was decided that after review by the Business Development Partnership and Planning Commission, the matter would then come back to the Board for consideration of authorization to advertise for public hearings on the proposed ordinances.
Pam Gural-Bear stated that the Autumn Festival Committee is requesting a list of the businesses within the township for the purpose of following up on the solicitation letters mailed out to these businesses. Larry Gregan pointed out that the list contains no confidential information. Resolution #2 unanimously approved the release of the business listing to the Chair and Vice Chair of the Autumn Festival Committee for the sole purpose of follow up telephone calls for the Autumn Festival event in October.
The Board discussed the August 11, 2008 meeting date. After some discussion, the Board decided to hold the August 11th meeting as scheduled.
John Nagel noted that there are plans to hold a Board of Supervisors retreat. Mr. Nagel requested that the Board let staff know their availability.
Under the consent agenda, the minutes of the meeting for June 23, 2008, and the payment of bills were approved as submitted. Resolution #3 approved the request to submit the application for Police Department Responder Base Knowledge Grant. Resolution #4 approved the amendment to the Fire Services Agreement. Resolution #5 approved the terms included in the engagement letter of recently appointed ad hoc Hearing Officer, R. Kurtz Holloway. Resolution #6 approved the Memorandum, Findings of Fact, Opinion and Order regarding the Conditional Use application of Pump It Up. All consent agenda resolutions were unanimously approved.
Under other business, Chairman McDonnell read Resolution #7 which authorized the Township Manager to execute a separation agreement and general release. Resolution #7 was unanimously approved.
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 8:35 p.m.