Monday, January 07, 2008
At 7:00 p.m. Vice Chairman Stephen Prousi called to order the Re-Organization meeting. In attendance were Supervisors Fox, Mc Donnell and Sarosky. Also in attendance were John Nagel, Richard Brady, Kevin Costello, Bill Brightcliffe, Larry Gregan, Pam Gural-Bear, Bruce Shoupe, Merle Ochrach, Judith Stern Goldstein, Phil Wursta, John Chambers, Deb Rivas and Shirley Snyder. Judge Thomas Del Ricci administered the Oath of Office to newly elected Township Supervisor, Michael J. Fox and newly elected Township Supervisor, Jeffrey W. McDonnell. Supervisor Sarosky was nominated to become the Temporary Chairman until a new chairman was elected. Supervisor Sarosky nominated Robert J. Birch to fill the position of Supervisor vacated by Warren Greenberg in December 2007. Supervisor Prousi seconded the nomination and made a motion to accept letters of resignation from Robert J. Birch for the position of Auditor for Montgomery Township and Zoning Hearing Board Alternate, which was seconded by Supervisor McDonnell. Motion #1 unanimously approved the acceptance of Mr. Birch's resignation letters. Resolution #1 unanimously approved the appointment of Robert J. Birch to fill the Supervisor vacancy position created by the resignation of Warren Greenberg. Judge Thomas Del Ricci administered the Oath of Office to newly appointed Township Supervisor, Robert J. Birch. Supervisor Sarosky nominated Samuel R. Dugan to fill the Board of Auditors vacancy and was seconded by Supervisor Prousi. Judge Thomas Del Ricci administered the Oath of Office for Auditor to Samuel R. Dugan. Resolution #2 unanimously appointed Samuel R. Dugan to fill a vacancy on the Montgomery Township Board of Auditors. Supervisor Sarosky nominated Supervisor Stephen A. Prousi to be the 2008 Chairman of the Board. Supervisor McDonnell seconded the motion. Supervisor Stephen A. Prousi was elected Chairman of the Board for 2008 by a unanimous vote (5 - 0) and by Resolution #3. Supervisor Stephen A. Prousi nominated Supervisor William J. Sarosky to be the Vice Chairman. Supervisor McDonnell seconded the motion. The Board voted unanimously by Resolution #4 to elect William J. Sarosky to be the Vice Chairman for 2008.
Judge Thomas Del Ricci administered the Oath of Office to Judy Steingruebl, Chris Smith and Dan Sharpan, as newly elected Fire Police of Montgomery Township. Resolution #5 unanimously appointed Judy Steingruebl, Chris Smith and Dan Sharpan to the position of Fire Police Officers. Mike Modzelewski was unable to be present at tonight's meeting, and will be sworn in at a later date.
Chairman Prousi commended the Township's volunteer Boards and Committees for their service during the year 2007. Chairman Prousi thanked each committee member for their dedication and time in serving on township committees.
At 7:20 p.m. the Board adjourned the Re-Organization meeting. The new Board members were given an opportunity to meet the press and have photographs taken before they adjourned to an Executive Session at 7:40 p.m.
At 8:15 p.m. Chairman Prousi reconvened the Re-Organization meeting.
Under the Consent Agenda, Resolution #6 established the holidays for 2008. The meeting dates for the Board of Supervisors were set by Resolution #7. Resolution #8 set the Treasurer's and the Business Tax Collector's bond. Resolution #9 named Harleysville National Bank and Smith Barney as the depositories for Montgomery Township. Supervisor Sarosky recommended that Robert J. Kerns, Esq. be nominated as the Interim Zoning Hearing Board Solicitor, replacing William Cooper, Esq. The nomination was seconded by Supervisor McDonnell. The Zoning Hearing Board will be notified of this recommendation. Resolution #10 appointed the Township Officials for the year 2008, extended the consultants for a period of thirty (30) days, and recommended to the Zoning Hearing Board, the appointment of Robert J. Kerns, Esq. as Zoning Hearing Board Solicitor for an interim period of thirty (30) days. Resolution #11 appointed committee members for the Volunteer Advisory Committees. Resolution #12 certified Stephen A. Prousi as the voting delegate to represent Montgomery Township at the Pennsylvania State Association of Township Supervisors (PSATS) in the year 2008. Board Liaisons to Township Committees were established by Resolution #13. Resolution #14 approved authorized drivers of Township vehicles for 2008. Resolution #15 appointed the Fire Department of Montgomery Township Fire Police for 2008. Resolution #16 established the 2008 Fee Schedule. Resolution #17 reaffirmed the Board's support of the commitment by the Township Manager to adhere to the International City Managers Association Code of Ethics for the year 2008. All consent agenda items were unanimously approved.
The re-organization meeting adjourned at 8:25 p.m.
Chairman Prousi called to order the regular meeting at 8:26 p.m.
Merle Ochrach reported that the Board had met in an Executive Session earlier in the evening to discuss matters of personnel and potential litigation.
There was no public comment this evening.
Under Monthly Reports, Chief Brady reported that the department had responded to 2,447 calls for the month of December, and several grants have been approved. Bill Brightcliffe reported that the Fire Marshal's office had completed 19 life safety inspections and 43 re-inspections for the month. Larry Gregan noted that the 4th quarter reports and budget amendments will be provided at the January 28, 2008 meeting. Pam Gural-Bear reported that the Township had received 3rd place in the Annual Report category for PSATS 40th Annual Township Citizen Communication Contest. The Community Services Office continues to work with residents and local schools in an effort to develop and offer new programs to our residents. The first curb side leaf waste pick up was done in December and there was one leaf waste drop off in December. Bruce Shoupe provided statistics on the Planning & Zoning Department, with 53 permits being issued in December. Kevin Costello reported that the Public Works Department has completed the conversion from construction to snow in preparation for the winter months.
Under the consent agenda, the minutes of meeting for December 17, 2007 were approved as submitted. Under the payment of bills, the payment of the bill to John G. Duesler, Jr. for the construction of the disc golf course was discussed. After some discussion, Chairman Prousi made a motion to pay the bill in full, as the project has been completed, and Mr. Duesler has complied by providing a maintenance bond. The motion was seconded by Supervisor McDonnell, and unanimously approved by the Board. Resolution #18 authorized the Township Manager to sign the FEMA application for Firefox development. Resolution #19 authorized the Township Manager to sign the Digital File Agreement. Resolution #20 authorized the Township Solicitor to oppose Country Furniture's Zoning Hearing Board application, following some discussion on the matter. Vice Chairman Sarosky made a motion to approve the resolution, and it was seconded by Chairman Prousi. Resolution #21 approved the Public Safety Committee Bylaws as submitted. With the consent agenda exceptions listed separately above, the remainder of the consent agenda was unanimously approved by a motion from Chairman Prousi, a second by Vice Chairman Sarosky and a 5 - 0 vote by the Board.
Under other business, Chairman Prousi and Vice Chairman Sarosky welcomed the three new Supervisors and their families.
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 8:43 p.m.