MINUTES OF MEETING
JULY 9, 2012
Vice Chairman Joseph Walsh called the executive session to order at 7:00 p.m. In attendance were Supervisors Robert Birch, Michael Fox and Jeffrey McDonnell. Chairman Candyce Fluehr Chimera was absent. Also in attendance were Lawrence Gregan, Frank R. Bartle, Esquire and Richard Lesniak. Two personnel matters were discussed.
Vice Chairman Joseph Walsh called the regular action meeting to order at 8:00 p.m. In attendance were Supervisors Robert Birch, Michael Fox and Jeffrey McDonnell. Chairman Candyce Fluehr Chimera was absent. Also in attendance were Frank R. Bartle, Esquire, Lawrence Gregan, Chief Richard Brady, Deputy Chief Scott Bendig, Lt. William Peoples, Lt. Gerald Dougherty, Sgt. Glenn Davis, Deborah Rivas, Kevin Costello, Bruce Shoupe, Richard Lesniak, Ann Shade, Shannon Drosnock, Stacy Crandell, Richard Grier and Shirley Snyder.
Following the Pledge of Allegiance, Vice Chairman Walsh 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 matters discussed. Mr. Bartle reported that these matters are legitimate subjects of executive session pursuant to Pennsylvania's Sunshine Law.
Vice Chairman Walsh made a motion to approve the minutes of the June 25, 2012 Board meeting and Supervisor Robert Birch seconded the motion. The minutes of the meeting were unanimously approved as submitted.
Vice Chairman Walsh noted that each year the Board of Supervisors present donation checks to various community organizations. This evening the Board presented a $2,000 check to Jane Brainard, representing the North Penn Visiting Nurse Association.
Township Manager, Lawrence Gregan reported that Matthew Roegner has submitted a resume for consideration for appointment as a member of the Business Development Partnership. Mr. Roegner is the managing Partner of the Outback Steakhouse, and has professional experience in various aspects of the food service industry. Resolution #1, made by Supervisor Michael Fox, seconded by Supervisor Robert Birch and adopted unanimously, appointed Matthew Roegner as a member of the Business Development Partnership with a term to expire January 1, 2013.
Township Manager, Lawrence Gregan announced that the Board of Supervisors has engaged the firms of Kimmel Bogrette Architecture + Site, and Ballard*King Associates, to perform a Needs Assessment and Feasibility Study of a Multi-Purpose Recreation/Community Center to be constructed on property purchased by the Township at the corner of Stump Road and Horsham Road. Initiating the public participation portion of this study will be a Community Meeting to be held in conjunction with the Park and Recreation Board meeting on Wednesday evening, July 11, 2012 at 7:30 p.m. in the Township Building at 1001 Stump Road. Mr. Gregan stated that there will be an overview of the project, opening comments by the representatives of the two firms and then the meeting will be opened for discussion and participation by residents. Vice Chairman Walsh inquired if the meeting could be recorded. Richard Grier, Technology Manager, stated that a recording could be done.
Richard Lesniak, Director of Fire Services introduced Franklin Ha, a new member of the Fire Department of Montgomery Township. Mr. Ha is being recommended for appointment as a Special Fire Police Officer. Resolution #2, made by Supervisor Jeffrey McDonnell, seconded by Supervisor Robert Birch and adopted unanimously, appointed Franklin Ha to the position of Special Fire Police Officer with the Fire Department of Montgomery Township.
Edward J. Furman, CPA, Partner of Maillie, Falconiero & Company, LLP provided an overview of the 2011 Audit Results for Montgomery Township. Mr. Furman announced that Montgomery Township had an extremely strong financial report. Resolution #3, made by Supervisor Michael Fox, seconded by Supervisor Jeffrey McDonnell and unanimously approved, accepted the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report for Year Ended December 31, 2011, as prepared by Maillie, Falconiero & Company, LLP.
Director of Fire Serivce, Rick Lesniak announced that the U. S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS)FY2012 grant application period for the Assistance to Firefighters Grants (AFG) opened on June 11, 2012. Federal funding for this program is $285 million. The goal of the AFG grant is to enhance, through financial assistance, the safety of the public and firefighters from fire and fire-related hazards. Mr. Lesniak reported that Centre Square, North Penn and Montgomery Township Fire Services will be joining together to submit this grant to be used to replace old and obsolete self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA). Resolution #4, made by Vice Chairman Joseph Walsh, seconded by Supervisor Jeffrey McDonnell and adopted unanimously, approved the participation in a "Regional" application under the FY2012 Assistance to Firefighters Grant by the Montgomery Township Department of Fire Services/Fire Department of Montgomery Township in the amount of $117,252.00 for the purchase of twenty (20) self-contained breathing apparatus.
Director of Planning and Zoning, Bruce Shoupe, reported that the staff is recommending an amendment to the Zoning Code which would amend the "Uses by Township" section of the Code. Proposed Ordinance #12-262 would exempt the Township from the Zoning Code as it applies to land and buildings owned and used by the Township. Resolution # 5, made by Vice Chairman Joseph Walsh, seconded by Supervisor Michael Fox and adopted unanimously, authorized the advertisement for a Public Hearing for Proposed Ordinance #12-262 to be held on Monday, September 10, 2012 after 8:00 p.m. in the Township Building.
Lawrence Gregan reported that as part of the Township's approval of The Cutler Group, Inc.'s "Enclave at Montgomery" development, the Township obtained a 20-acre tract of land for recreation use, named Friendship Park. Under the various approvals granted for the development, the developer was required to make a cash contribution totaling $1.3M towards development of the park improvements. The Township opted to credit the developer with the value of the contributions in exchange for the developer paying for the cost of engineering/design and construction of the park improvements up to the total value of the required contribution. The engineering for site work, including the grading, storm water management and parking lot/pathway paving work is completed and the PADEP Earth Disturbance permit has been issued. The developer has provided three quotes from contractors to perform the initial site work, which have been reviewed by the Township Engineer. The Engineer's recommendation is the selection of Wolverine Constructor Company to perform this work. John Antonucci, President of Chrystal Green Distributors, has requested the Township consider the installation of the "Pave Drain" paver block system for the surface of the new parking lot in lieu of asphalt paving to serve as a demonstration project of the systems potential storm water management benefits. Resolution #6, made by Vice Chairman Joseph Walsh, seconded by Supervisor Michael Fox, and adopted unanimously, concurred with the recommendation of the Township Engineer that the Cutler Group, Inc. engage Wolverine Constructors to perform the PADEP permitted site grading improvements at Friendship Park in accordance with their Base Bid with Option 2 at a cost of $478,363.82. Staff will review Mr. Antonucci's proposal for use of the pave drain system and will report back with costs and a recommendation at the July 23, 2012 Board of Supervisors meeting.
Bruce Shoupe stated that a request for release of a Letter of Credit, originally posted by Thomas Calhoun, for the Montgomery Chase Development has been received. Montgomery Chase LDS #616 has been sold and the new Developer has posted a new Letter of Credit to guarantee construction of the improvements required for this project. Resolution #7, made by Supervisor Michael Fox, seconded by Vice Chairman Joseph Walsh, and adopted unanimously, approved the release of Thomas Calhoun's Letter of Credit for the Montgomery Chase Development.
Public Information Coordinator, Stacy Crandell reported that staff has developed a policy for the disposal of assets, which will provide a procedure for the disposal of Township personal property which is valued at less than one thousand dollars ($1,000), that is either not needed, in poor condition or obsolete. The policy is in accord with the Second Class Township Code and has been reviewed by the Township Solicitor. Resolution #8, made by Supervisor Robert Birch, seconded by Supervisor Jeffrey McDonnell, and adopted unanimously, adopted the Asset Disposal Policy as presented.
Vice Chairman Joseph Walsh made a motion to approve the payment of bills. Supervisor Michael Fox seconded the motion. The payment of bills was unanimously approved as submitted.
Vice Chairman Joseph Walsh announced that this evening's meeting is Chief Richard Brady's last official Board of Supervisor's meeting. Each Board member extended their appreciation to Chief Brady for the tremendous job he did in his 42 year tenure with the Montgomery Township Police Department. Vice Chairman Walsh also announced that State Legislation was recently adopted to officially name the Route 202 Parkway Bridge that crosses over Route 309 as the Chief Richard J. Brady Bridge in his honor. Resolution #9, made by Vice Chairman Joseph Walsh, seconded by Supervisor Michael Fox, and adopted unanimously, recognized Chief Richard J. Brady on the occasion of his attendance at his last official Montgomery Township Board of Supervisors meeting, congratulate him on his career accomplishments, thank him for his dedicated service to the Montgomery Township community and wish him the best on his retirement.
There being no further business to come before the Board, the meeting adjourned at 9:00 p.m.