Monday, April 28, 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 Frank Bartle and John Nagel.
Chairman McDonnell called to order the work session at 7:45 p.m. In attendance were Supervisors Birch, Fox, Prousi and Sarosky. Also in attendance were Pam Gural-Bear, Larry Gregan and Deb Rivas.
There was no public comment in the work session.
Larry Gregan presented the 1st Quarter 2008 Budget Report which summarized the Year-To-Date operating results through March 31, 2008. Mr. Gregan stated that during the first quarter, the Township received 37.3% of the general fund budgeted revenues. Expenditures during the first quarter were 16.3% of budget. At the end of the first quarter, the general fund balance was $4,466,000, an increase of 5.4% over the 1st Quarter of 2007. Mr. Gregan highlighted the general fund revenue trends and the expenditures. Supervisor Birch inquired as to why the Township expenses had dropped so much. Supervisor Sarosky responded that it was because of good management practices. Mr. Gregan indicated that there were several factors such as the number of payrolls in a quarter or items which may be on order but not expensed until received, for example, police vehicles. Mr. Gregan indicated that those expenditures would be noted during the next quarter. John Nagel noted for the Board that $2,240,000 had been designated in the capital reserve for open space. There being no further discussion, the work session adjourned at 7:58 p.m.
Chairman McDonnell called to order the action meeting at 8:00 p.m. In attendance were Supervisors Birch, Fox, Prousi and Sarosky. Also in attendance were Frank Bartle, John Nagel, Kevin Costello, John Chambers, Matt Johnston, Earl Armitage, Judith Stern Goldstein, Pam Gural-Bear, Larry Gregan, Richard Brady and Deb Rivas.
There was no public comment for any items not listed on the agenda.
Frank Bartle announced that the Board had met in an executive session prior to this meeting and that a personnel matter was discussed as well as the possible purchase of real estate.
Larry Gregan announced that three individuals had interviewed and been recommended for appointment to the Finance Committee. Chairman McDonnell administered the oath of office and Resolution #1 unanimously appointed John Dale, Anthony Diasio and John Holsinger as members of the Finance Committee.
Chairman McDonnell introduced the Disc Golf discussion and indicated that the Board would hear public comment first and then discuss the issue. Under public comment, Larry Caldwell of 264 Mallard Drive stated that he had more questions than answers at this point. Mr. Caldwell spoke about the environmental issues and the newsletter that was supposedly sent home with Montgomery Elementary children stating that all the trees would be cut down. Mr. Caldwell urged the Board to reopen the course in its entirety and to monitor the activity. Supervisor Birch asked about the Del Val Environmental Report which cited a violation of the DEP. John Chambers indicated that he understood that the DEP had looked at the Disc Golf course and that the course did not have any violations. However, while the DEP representative was at the park, he had walked past construction which was occurring at the ball field and violations were found there and subsequently corrected. Dave Hansell of 130 Mallard Drive stated that he had called the DEP and that he met the inspector at hole 5 and that the inspector never saw the ball field. Mr. Hansell indicated that the violations noted in the report were for the disc golf course, not the ball field . Mr. Hansell recommended a proposal to install a nine hole course of no more than 2,500 feet and to return the wooded nature area back to its original state. Neil McDevitt of 111 Damson Lane stated that the Board should be considering the facts and not speculation and that the items being brought forth do not stand up to scrutiny. Mr. McDevitt stated that he had attended well over 20 Park Board and other meetings where Disc Golf was discussed and residents had many opportunities to express their points of view. Lynn Caldwell of 264 Mallard Drive stated that it was unnecessary to close all the holes at the last meeting. Mrs. Caldwell indicated that she wanted to see how many residents supported an 18 hole course and she circulated a petition which has 237 signatures and she is still collecting. Barbara Vesay of 202 Livingston Court stated that she thought the Board had bowed to the pressure of a few individuals. Mrs. Vesay also created a petition and shared it with residents she met throughout her day and she received 98 signatures, with some individuals saying that they were afraid to sign even though they supported disc golf. Mrs. Vesay indicated that Montgomery Township is considered an affluent area where children participate in expensive sports. Mrs. Vesay stated that disc golf is one of the least expensive sports that one can play at any age. Dan Rose of 132 Mallard Drive stated that it was ridiculous to think that anyone would be afraid to sign the petition. Mr. Rose also indicated that he had spoken with the DEP inspector and that the violations that were noted in the report were specifically about the disc golf course. Richard Reinhart of 1026 Glendevon Drive, Horsham Township, stated that the letter supposedly sent home with the grade school children should be investigated. Mr. Reinhart also indicated that he has used the disc golf course at Fort Washington State Park and there is no forest devastation there. Mr. Reinhart believes that bad information is being disseminated to the residents. Alden Zove of 1054 Horsham Road stated that he has attended many meetings where he has heard many supporters of disc golf commit to maintaining, mitigating and preserving the area in and around the disc course. Mr. Zove indicated that he has not heard from anyone opposed about their efforts to maintain and preserve the park. Mr. Zove personally committed to four hours per month of his personal time to maintain, mitigate and preserve the course and the property around it. Mr. Zove requested of those in the audience to stand up if they would also commit to maintaining and preserving the area. Approximately eight people stood and promised to maintain the property around the course. Mr. Zove indicated that there is barbed wire and other destructive materials scattered in the area of disc course that no neighbor has come forth to clean up. Marilyn Tontoni of 219 Mallard Drive asked Mr. Zove where he resides. Mr. Zove indicated that he owns several businesses and properties in the Township. Mrs. Tontoni stated that her Girl Scout troop have cared for the park. Mrs. Tontoni stated that she picks up trash as she walks her dog and that she has been caring for the park. Bill James of 111 Baker Place stated that he believes that emotions have gotten in the way of this issue. Mr. James indicated that in all the times he has visited the park, he has never seen anyone throw a Frisbee there. Mr. James stated that the course appears to have been designed as a commercial course rather than a community course. Mr. James is opposed to any commercial applications of the course. Supervisor Prousi asked if the Board could come to a conclusion that there would not be any tournaments allowed on the course. John Blasko of 134 Mallard Drive stated that he wanted to see no tournaments, no large course and the holes removed from the woods. Mr. Blasko stated that the course should not have been installed in the first place. Mr. Blasko stated that there are unsafe conditions and the proper notification was not made to residents. Leesa Meade of 116 Devonshire Drive and a member of the Park and Recreation Board stated that there had been no commercial interest from anyone on the Park Board or the Board of Supervisors. The Park Board saw this as an opportunity for a recreational course for young and old. Ms. Meade said that she hoped that all community facilities in the North Penn area would be shared amongst all residents. Ms. Meede stated that it was a mistake for the Park Board not to send a letter to the ten residents who border the park and she apologized on behalf of the Park Board. Jerry Coleman of 345 Pennbrook Avenue in Lansdale said that it is a nice course, not a great course and that the users would use it just for the fun, not for tournaments. Mr. Coleman stated that when the Board turned down the compromise at the last meeting, the disc golf community felt like they were let down because of all the work that was put into creating a compromise. Ray Gerhart of 101 Magella Court said that he is a Boy Scout and that he is not in support of this course. Public comment concluded. Under Supervisor comment, Mr. Birch inquired as to why a nine hole course was out of the question. Keith Johnson, a member of the Park Board, explained that the Park Board felt that it would be more damaging to have a nine hole course played twice by the same group rather than spread out the walking over 18 holes. Also, an 18 hole course would allow for the different styles and distances of holes necessary to meet different skill levels. Mr. Birch inquired if the Township needed to build bridges over streams and whether or not the course needed to be ADA compliant. John Chambers responded that it was not required that a bridge be built, but if one was to be built, a permit would be necessary. Also, Mr. Chambers indicated that it was probable that the course would not have to be ADA compliant. The Board inquired as to what alternatives existed in lieu of a bridge. Mr. Chambers responded that a dry forde (permit required) could be constructed or rocks could simply be placed across the stream whereby people would walk across. The Board inquired as to the cost of a bridge. Mr. Chambers responded that he recently assisted another municipality with the construction of a bridge which cost approximately $100,000. Mr. Fox indicated that he likes the idea of a nine hole course because it still allows the course to stay in some form, but gets the course out of environmentally sensitive areas. Mr. Sarosky asked if the remaining eleven or twelve holes were outside of the wooded area. It was stated that they were. Mr. Fox suggested that the Township utilize the twelve holes, but only open nine holes at a time, rotating three holes out of the course over a period of time. All Board members agreed that tournaments would not be allowed. Chairman McDonnell indicated that he would not support a course with a length of more than 2,500 feet. After additional discussion, the Board gave the following direction, unanimously by Resolution #2, that the Park Board review and make a recommendation for a nine hole course to be installed in areas not environmentally sensitive, rotating the nine holes over the remaining twelve holes, being mindful of the course length.
Bruce Shoupe introduced the revised plan for the Montgomery Office Park to be located at Stump and Horsham Roads. The approved plan is to construct four two story, approximately 20,000 square foot, office buildings on the site which is zoned Business Professional. Since the time of the original approval in September 2007, this plan was revised to change the access driveway on Stump Road to be an exit only. The applicant was unable to obtain additional right-of-way needed from the adjacent property owner for a full access driveway. Therefore, the plan has been returned for approval changing the full access driveway to an exit only. The applicant was present and indicated that he had reviewed the resolution and will sign the resolution with the conditions stated. Resolution #3 unanimously approved the consideration of revised plan for the Montgomery Office Park.
Earl Armitage of Pennoni Associates presented the Township transportation update. Mr. Armitage indicated that in addition to the 202 Parkway project, Montgomery Township will be the beneficiary of major transportation improvements in the next several years. The update included information on the Horsham Road widening, the Route 202 Section 65N project, the Route 202 Section 71A - Five Points Intersection project, the County Line Road project, the Route 309 reconstruction project, the Route 309 ITS project and the Route 309 and Hartman Road widening project. Under public comment, Roy Rodriguez of 127 Country Club Drive and a member of the Historic Society asked about the historic Limekiln Pike bridge and its need for replacement. Mr. Armitage indicated that when he last spoke to PennDOT representatives, they had not yet determined the course of action they would take, but they would certainly welcome the Township's input. Mr. Rodriguez indicated that the Historical Society wanted to preserve the bridge. Barbara Vesay of 202 Livingston Court asked about the Horsham Road widening and whether or not a berm or sound wall would be installed. Matt Johnston of Pennoni Associates indicated that sound walls were not possible because of the multiple driveways on Horsham Road. Joseph Nasife asked if there were any restrictions for wildlife access as there will be many more accidents once the parkway is built. Another member of the audience asked about the speed of the parkway. Mr. Armitage stated that it will be posted at 40 mph.
The Township began researching the concept of advanced street signs several years ago. PennDOT is now one of the last states in the country to allow such signs. The Township has obtained permission from businesses along Route 309 to place these signs. The purpose of the signs is to advise the motoring public of an approaching intersection so that driving decisions can be made in advance. The Board was favorable to the concept.
Pam Gural-Bear introduced the 2008 summer recreation programs, which include several new opportunities for residents. Resolution #4 unanimously approved the Montgomery Township Recreation Programs for 2008.
Under the consent agenda, the minutes of the meeting for April 14, 2008, and the payment of bills were approved as submitted. Resolution #5 approved the PennDOT Shared Use Path Agreement for Route 202. Resolution #6 approved the 1st Quarter 2008 Budget Amendments. Resolution #7 approved the escrow release for Nolan Self Storage. Resolution #8 approved the escrow release for Selective Development. Resolution #9 approved the amendments to the fee schedule for summer recreation programs. All consent agenda resolutions were approved unanimously.
Under other business, Mr. Birch indicated that during a Public Safety Committee meeting a safety issue regarding the intersection of County Line Road and Upper State Road was mentioned. The road is buckled and is extremely bad and many accidents have occurred there. New Britain Township is supposed to address the issue with PennDOT Bucks County because it is a state road. Chief Brady has sent letters and Kevin Costello has contacted New Britain and PennDOT with no success. The Board asked John Nagel, in conjunction with Township Solicitor, Frank Bartle, to send a letter to New Britain Township to see what can be done about the dangerous situation.
The Board confirmed that the next Board meeting will be on May 5th and not May 12th.
Barbara Vesay of 202 Livingston Court asked to confirm what it was that the Board decided upon regarding the disc golf course. The Board confirmed that it had asked the Park Board to review and create a plan closing the first six holes and utilizing as much as possible the existing twelve holes to create a nine hole course (with three holes rotating out of use). Ron DePue inquired if a team of volunteers could assist the Public Works Department with removing the tees and holes from the original six holes in the woods. Kevin Costello indicated that the help would be appreciated.
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 10:10 p.m.