MINUTES OF MEETING
MAY 29, 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 and Bruce Shoupe. Two personnel, two potential litigation and three matters of litigation 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, Richard Brady, Scott Bendig, Bruce Shoupe, Kevin Costello, Shannon Drosnock, Rick Lesniak, Ann Shade, Stacy Crandell, Vickie Zidek, Rich Grier and Deb Rivas.
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 two personnel and two potential litigation matters discussed. There were also three matters of litigation, including the Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court hearing on the Costco appeal, the RD Management Validity Challenge at the Montgomery Township Zoning Hearing Board, and the Zehr Property Condemnation, which is before the Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court. Mr. Bartle reported that all of these matters are legitimate subjects of executive session pursuant to Pennsylvania's Sunshine Law.
Chairman Chimera made a motion to approve the minutes of the May 14, 2012 Board meeting and Supervisor Joseph Walsh seconded the motion. The minutes of the meeting were unanimously approved as submitted.
Finance Director Shannon Drosnock reported that Lucy Gonzalez was recently hired full time as the Accounting Associate in the Finance Department. Lucy has been working as a temporary employee in the Finance Department for almost one year and she has become a valuable asset to the team. Resolution #1, made by Supervisor Michael Fox, seconded by Vice Chairman Joseph Walsh, and adopted unanimously, recognized and welcomed Lucy Gonzalez as the Accounting Associate in the Finance Department, effective May 11, 2012.
Director of Administration and Human Resources, Ann Shade, reported that the Township had received a Facilities and Field Use Request from Cub Scout Pack 229 for the use of Spring Valley Park to hold their annual rocket launch on Sunday, June 17, 2012. Due to the nature of this use, Board of Supervisors approval is required. Mrs. Shade reported that the Board approved this same request for the same event in previous years, and included specific requirements that needed to be met in the resolution. Resolution #2, made by Vice Chairman Joseph Walsh, seconded by Supervisor Michael Fox, and adopted unanimously, permitted the Rocket Launch at Spring Valley Park on Sunday, June 17, 2012, with specific conditions as outlined in the resolution.
Police Chief Richard Brady reported that based on a traffic complaint received from the Montgomery Glen Homeowners Association Board, a traffic study was conducted by the Montgomery Township Police Department regarding stopping, standing and parking on Montgomery Glen Drive. Based on the Police Department investigation, a recommendation to install No Parking Restrictions on portions of Montgomery Glen Drive through Proposed Ordinance #12-260 is being considered before the Board this evening. Resolution #3, made by Supervisor Michael Fox, seconded by Vice Chairman Joseph Walsh, and adopted unanimously, approved Ordinance #12-260 - provided Stopping, Standing and Parking Restrictions on Montgomery Glen Drive.
Planning Director Bruce Shoupe reported that the Township has received a request from Bharatiya Temple to waive all permit fees associated with their annual anniversary program to be held from May 25, 2012 to May 28, 2012 and June 1, 2012 to June 3, 2012. Mr. Shoupe also reported that in the past, it has been the policy of the Board of Supervisors to waive permit fees for non-profit and religious organizations. Resolution #4, made by Supervisor Michael Fox, seconded by Vice Chairman Joseph Walsh, and adopted unanimously, approved the waiver of the permit fee for a special event for the Bharatiya Temple.
Planning Director Bruce Shoupe reported that the Township has received a request from Mary, Mother of the Redeemer Catholic Church to waive all permit fees associated with their annual Parish Festival to be held from June 19, 2012 to June 23, 2012. Mr. Shoupe also reported that in the past it has been the policy of the Board of Supervisors to waive permit fees for non-profit and religious organizations. Resolution #5, made by Vice Chairman Joseph Walsh, seconded by Supervisor Michael Fox, and adopted unanimously, approved the waiver of permit fee for special event for Mary, Mother of the Redeemer Catholic Church.
Planning Director Bruce Shoupe reported that the Cutler Group, in conjunction with the Reserve at Knapp Farm Subdivision, had submitted a cash escrow for construction work along DeKalb Pike. Mr. Shoupe reported that this project is completed and they have requested a release of any funds remaining in the application escrow account. Resolution #6, made by Supervisor Jeffrey McDonnell, seconded by Vice Chairman Joseph Walsh, and adopted unanimously, approved the escrow release of $1,500 for the Reserve at Knapp Farm Development.
Finance Director Shannon Drosnock reported that in November, 2011, the Montgomery United Soccer Association held a tournament at the William F. Maule Park at Windlestrae and at Spring Valley Park. As a condition of the waiver of the tournament section of the facilities and fields use policy, a cash security escrow in the amount of $5,000 was posted as collateral for possible excessive damage to the fields. Mrs. Drosnock also reported that it was agreed upon by Montgomery United Soccer and the Township that the funds would be returned to Montgomery United Soccer after the Township inspected the fields and approved their condition. The Montgomery Township Public Works Department has inspected the fields and approved that no excessive damage has occurred as a result of the tournament. Montgomery United Soccer is requesting the return of the security escrow in the full amount of $5,000. Vice Chairman Joseph Walsh inquired as to why the escrow was held since November of 2011. Ms. Drosnock reported that it was previously agreed that the money was going to be held for future events, but Montgomery United Soccer asked that the escrow be returned at this time. Resolution #7, made by Supervisor Jeffrey McDonnell, seconded by Vice Chairman Joseph Walsh, and adopted unanimously, approved the field use escrow release of $5,000 to the Montgomery United Soccer Association.
Public Works Director Kevin Costello reported that Public Works employees Don Johnson and Deb Lamb perform the traffic signal maintenance work for the Township and in previous years, both have obtained the Work Zone Traffic Control Safety and International Municipal Signal Association (IMSA) Level I certifications, which are prerequisites for obtaining a Level II Field Technician Certification. Mr. Costello reported that as part of the Township training/goals program, both employees are looking to obtain their IMSA Level II Field Technician Certifications. Mr. Costello reported that the only available Level II class this year is being offered by the IMSA New Jersey Section on June 18 and 19, 2012 at the Rutgers Eco Complex in Bordentown, New Jersey. Mr. Costello requested that the Board consider the authorization of this out of state training which is a total training cost of $720 plus limited travel expenses as the employees will commute to the training session on both days. Resolution #8, made by Vice Chairman Joseph Walsh, seconded by Supervisor Jeffrey McDonnell, and adopted unanimously, authorized Don Johnson and Deb Lamb to attend the "out of state" training hosted by the New Jersey Section of the International Municipal Signal Association (IMSA) for Level II Field Technician Certification.
Vice Chairman Joseph Walsh made a motion to approve the payment of bills. Supervisor Jeffrey McDonnell seconded the motion. The payment of bills was unanimously approved as submitted.
There being no further business to come before the Board, the meeting adjourned at 8:25 p.m.