MINUTES OF MEETING
August 13, 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 and Frank R. Bartle, Esquire. One potential litigation matter, 2 personnel matters and an update on negotiations with the Firefighter's Union were discussed.
Chairman Candyce Fluehr Chimera called the regular action meeting to order at 8:07 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, Acting Chief Scott Bendig, Kevin Costello, Bruce Shoupe, Richard Lesniak, Shannon Drosnock, Stacy Crandell, Rich Grier, Ann Shade and Shirley Snyder.
Following the Pledge of Allegiance, Chairman Candyce 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 was one matter involving potential litigation, two personnel matters and an update on the negotiations with the Firefighter's Union matter that were discussed. Mr. Bartle reported that all of these matters are legitimate subjects of executive session pursuant to Pennsylvania's Sunshine Law.
Chairman Candyce Chimera made a motion to approve the minutes of the July 23, 2012 Board meeting and Vice Chairman Joseph Walsh seconded the motion. The minutes of the meetings were unanimously approved as submitted.
Township Manager, Lawrence Gregan announced that Virginia Holsinger has submitted a resume for consideration to become a member of the Montgomery 300 Committee. Resolution #1, made by Supervisor Michael Fox, seconded by Supervisor Jeffrey McDonnell and adopted unanimously, appointed Virginia Holsinger as a member of the Montgomery Township 300 Committee with a term to expire on January 1, 2013.
Lawrence Gregan announced that Ruth Hardin has expressed an interest in becoming a member of the Montgomery 300 Committee. Ms. Hardin has been a member of the Autumn Festival Committee for several years. Resolution #2, made by Supervisor Michael Fox, seconded by Supervisor Jeffrey McDonnell and approved unanimously, appointed Ruth Hardin as a member of the Montgomery Township 300 Committee with a term to expire on January 1, 2013.
Lawrence Gregan announced that Jack Fazio, the new Montgomery Mall Manager, has expressed an interest in serving on the Montgomery Township Business Development Partnership. Resolution #3, made by Supervisor Michael Fox, seconded by Supervisor Jeffrey McDonnell and approved unanimously, appointed Jack Fazio as a member of the Montgomery Township Business Development Partnership with a term to expire on January 1, 2013.
Lawrence Gregan announced that Steven Krumenacker, who previously served on the Montgomery Township Building Code of Appeals Board, was seeking reappointment to the Committee. Mr. Krumenacker presently serves on the Montgomery Township Planning Commission. Resolution #4, made by Supervisor Michael Fox, seconded by Supervisor Jeffrey McDonnell, and approved unanimously, appointed Steven Krumenacker as a member of the Montgomery Township Building Code of Appeals Board with a term to expire on January 1, 2016.
Director of Fire Services, Richard Lesniak, introduced the four newest part time members of the Montgomery Township Fire Services Department: John Ardiff, Stephen D'Agostino, William McCann and William Norris. Firefighters Ardiff, D'Agostino, McCann and Norris will work on an "on call/as needed" schedule basis for a 10 hour shift, Monday through Friday 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Resolution #5, made by Supervisor Michael Fox, seconded by Supervisor Robert Birch and approved unanimously, welcomed John Ardiff, Stephen D'Agostino, William McCann and William Norris to the position of part-time firefighter with the Montgomery Township Department of Fire Services.
Lawrence Gregan reported that the Board of Supervisors will hold a public workshop meeting to discuss the Montgomery Township Multi-Purpose Recreation/Community Center Study. The Architectural firm of Kimmel Bogrette Architecture + Site and Ballard*King Associates have been engaged to perform a Needs Assessment and Feasibility Study for this project. The meeting will provide feedback from the consultants, based on the information generated at an earlier community meeting, and will allow time for discussion on the next steps of the study. The meeting will take place on Wednesday, August 22, 2012 at 5:00 p.m. in the Township Building.
Public Information Coordinator, Stacy Crandell, reported that the Route 202 Parkway is almost ready to celebrate its grand opening. To commemorate this historic milestone, Montgomery Township will be hosting a 5K "It's Finally Done Fun Run" and Family Walk on the Parkway on Sunday, September 9, 2012 beginning at 8:00 a.m. The 5K run will start and finish on the 202 Parkway at the Horsham Road entrance. Registration for the Run will take place beginning at 7:00 a.m., followed by the run at 8:00 a.m. and the Family Walk on the shared use path at 8:15 a.m. Proceeds from the run will be donated to the Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis Association. As of today, there are 55 runners who have registered. Montgomery Township would like to encourage everyone to come out and join us in the celebration of this exciting milestone in Township History.
Director of Public Works, Kevin Costello, reported that as part of the 2012 budget, $20,000 was allocated for curb and sidewalk concrete work throughout the Township. The criteria for this work is based on the Public Works Departments inspection to identify sidewalks that have become potential tripping hazards or have significant deterioration. The work will be performed under the current contract with Drumheller Construction, based on unit prices in their approved contract. Resolution #6, made by Vice Chairman Joseph Walsh, seconded by Supervisor Michael Fox and approved unanimously, authorized the expenditure of an amount not to exceed $20,000 to perform repairs/replacement of sidewalks throughout the township under the contract with Drumheller Construction in accordance with the approved 2012 Budget.
Lawrence Gregan reported that as part of the Township's approval of The Cutler Group, Inc.'s "Enclave at Montgomery" development, the developer dedicated a 20-acre tract of land named Friendship Park to the Township for recreational use. In lieu of taking the cash contribution for the various approvals granted the developer, 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 of $1.3M. At the July 9, 2012 Board of Supervisors meeting, the Board concurred with the Township Engineer's recommendation to accept the proposal from Wolverine Contractors Inc. to perform this work. The Solicitor has prepared a License Agreement between Montgomery Township and Wolverine Contractors, Inc. for the site work at Friendship Park. Supervisor Michael Fox reported that the Park and Recreation Board provided additional ideas for the project, some of which are being incorporated in the design. Resolution #7, made by Supervisor Michael Fox, seconded by Vice Chairman Joseph Walsh and approved unanimously, authorized the execution and issuance of the License Agreement between Montgomery Township and Wolverwine Contractors, Inc. for site work at Friendship Park on behalf of the Cutler Group, Inc. in accordance with the Enclave at Montgomery Land Development Agreement.
Bruce Shoupe, Director of Planning and Zoning, reported that Gemalto, a Township business that manufactures credit cards, has had a prefabricated structure constructed in China and shipped to its facility in Montgomery Township without first obtaining the required plan reviews and building permits. This structure is considered a non-residential modular building and is not covered under Pennsylvania's modular building program, which is monitored by the State. Staff has contacted Mark Conti, Chief of Pennsylvania Manufactured Housing Division, who recommended that the Township consider retaining PFS Corporation, a Third Party Inspection Company to oversee the assembly and inspection of this modular building. Resolution #8, made by Supervisor Michael Fox, seconded by Vice Chairman Joseph Walsh and approved unanimously, authorized the execution of the Professional Services Agreement for the inspection of the Gemalto Perso Center with PFS Corporation.
Lawrence Gregan reported that the Township's current ten year Franchise Agreement with Comcast Cable will expire on November 21, 2014. The Cohen Law Group, who represented the Township in prior negotiations with regard to the Cable Franchise Agreement, provided a proposal to assist the Township in the negotiations with Comcast at a cost of $19,380. Resolution #9 made by Supervisor Michael Fox, seconded by Vice Chairman Joseph Walsh and approved unanimously, accepted the proposal from Cohen Law Group, dated July 17, 2012, to perform Cable Franchise Renewal Services including Franchise Fee review at a total cost of $19,380.
Acting Police Chief, J. Scott Bendig announced that the Police Department is requesting approval to submit the 2012/2013 DUI Grant, which has been prepared by Highway Safety Officer David Dunlap. The Department has been the recipient of DUI grants for the past several years. Resolution #10 made by Supervisor Michael Fox, seconded by Supervisor Robert Birch and approved unanimously, authorized the submission of the 2012/2013 DUI Grant in the amount of $59,992.
Bruce Shoupe reported that an application for a change of zoning has been submitted by John Pileggi. Mr. Pileggi is proposing that the Township Zoning Ordinance be amended by adding a new "Open Space Design Overlay Option". Mr. Pileggi is proposing that six properties bounded by Lower State Road, County Line Road and Limekiln Pike, be designated as "Open Space Design Overlay Option" eligible on the Township Zoning Map. Resolution #11, made by Supervisor Michael Fox, seconded by Vice Chairman Joseph Walsh and approved unanimously, set Monday, October 22, 2012 after 8:00 p.m. in the Township Building as the date, time and place for a Public Hearing to consider the proposed amendments to the Zoning Ordinance to add a new section entitled "Open Space Design Overlay Option" and amend the Township Zoning Map to allow this overlay option for the tracts of ground located at County Line Road, Limekiln Pike and Lower State Road, presently zoned R-1 Residential.
Chairman Candyce Chimera made a motion to approve the payment of bills. Supervisor Michael Fox 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 8:45 p.m.