Monday, October 22, 2007
At 7:00 p.m. Chairman J. Robert Witmer called to order an Executive Session. In attendance were Supervisors Greenberg, Kuhn and Prousi. Supervisor Sarosky was absent. Also in attendance were John Nagel, Merle Ochrach, Beverly Brown and Sam Dugan. Personnel and potential litigation matters were discussed. The Executive Session adjourned at 7:55 p.m.
Chairman Witmer called to order the regular action meeting at 8:00 p.m. In attendance were Supervisors, Greenberg, Kuhn and Prousi. Supervisor Sarosky was absent. Also in attendance were John Nagel, Lt. Gordon Simes, Kevin Costello, Bill Brightcliffe, Larry Gregan, Pam Gural-Bear, Bruce Shoupe, Merle Ochrach, Rick Tralies, Earl Armitage, John Chambers, Mike Galla and Deb Rivas.
There was no public comment on any item not on the regular agenda.
Merle Ochrach announced that the Board had met earlier in an Executive Session. Personnel and potential litigation matters were discussed.
Merle Ochrach introduced the proposed Ordinance #07-221, Montgomery Township Municipal Sewer Authority Local Limits. Beverly Brown, Sewer Authority Manager, explained that the Ambler Treatment Plant is in the process of renewing its permits and must have all "tributary" municipalities agree to their limits. The Ambler plant requires an ordinance from the Township. Resolution #1 approved Ordinance #07-221.
Bruce Shoupe introduced the consideration of plan for the Stump Road Fire Station. Kirk Clauss of Schlosser and Clauss presented the plan to the Board for the renovation and addition to the Stump Road Fire Station. Mr. Clauss explained that the garage bays would remain, but the current office and common area would be demolished and replaced with an equipment storage area. New construction on the back area would contain the offices and other common areas. There were several partial waivers discussed and Mr. Clauss informed the Board that the Shade Tree Commission would take on the landscaping of the renovated station as one of its 2008 projects. After a brief discussion, Resolution #2 approved the plan for the Stump Road Fire Station unanimously.
Mark Jonas, attorney for the applicant, the Klein Company, and Cliff Stout of Stout, Tacconelli & Associates, Inc. presented the plan for the Firefox subdivision at Route 309 and Line Street. The plan proposes 115 townhouses. Several waivers were discussed concerning trees, buffers and sidewalks. There was also a discussion concerning the amount of the fee in lieu of land to satisfy the Township's Park and Recreation requirements and the timing of the payment of the escrow amount for the trees to be installed at the Pine Crest Golf Course. The Board felt strongly, for safety reasons, that the sidewalks be provided on both sides of the street where residential homes were located. It was agreed to amend the resolution to include the condition of modifying the plans to include sidewalks at the locations addressed by the Board. Resolution #3 was amended to address the items listed above and approved unanimously.
Michael Galla and Pam Gural Bear addressed the Board with regards to the awarding of bids for Leaf Waste Pickup. In order for the Township to continue to receive the recycling grant monies each year which total more than $70,000, the Township must comply with the leaf waste requirements. The Township staff prepared bid documents with several options for leaf waste pickup. The bids were opened and reviewed and the best option was found to be Option #1 which called for two household pickups of bagged leaf and yard waste annually with an additional monthly dumpster site for collection and pickup. Resolution #4 awarded the bid unanimously for Leaf Waste Pickup to Allied Waste for Option #1 pricing in the amount of $92,700 for three years.
Under the consent agenda, the minutes of the meeting for October 9, 2007, and the payment of bills were approved as submitted. Resolution #5 authorized the Township Manager to Advertise for Proposed Ordinance #07-224 - Salvage and Towing to be heard on November 26, 2007 after 8:00 p.m. Resolution #6 authorized the Township Manager to advertise for bids for the Stump Road Fire Station renovation and addition project. Resolution #7 approved the escrow release for Gateway Commercial Center. Resolution #8 approved the escrow release for 675 Bethlehem Pike - Dr. Au. Resolution #9 approved the Act 147 Grant Award for Emergency Operations. Resolution #10 approved the Fire Marshal Global Fire Prevention Grant Application. Resolution #11 approved the Small Cap Growth Fund for the Police Pension Investments. Resolution #12 approved the consultant to assist Interim Business Tax Collector in the collection of Mercantile, Business Privilege and Occupational Privilege/EMST Taxes. All consent agenda resolutions were approved unanimously.
Merle Ochrach indicated that it was the desire of the Board to accept the Deed of Dedication from the Sewer Authority for the land which formerly housed the Tall Gables pump station. Resolution #13 accepted the Deed of Dedication from the Sewer Authority.
The Board then went into an executive session to discuss matters of personnel.
The Board returned to the meeting room. Resolution #14 approved a Memorandum of Agreement dated October 22, 2007. Resolution #15 approved an amendment to the 457 Plan dated October 22, 2007. Resolution #16 adopted the Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law issued on October 10, 2007. All resolutions were unanimous.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 9:30 p.m.