Tuesday, May 29, 2007
At 7:30 p.m. Vice Chairman Stephen Prousi called to order an Executive Session. In attendance were Supervisors Greenberg, Kuhn, and Sarosky. Chairman Witmer was absent. Also in attendance were John Nagel and Merle Ochrach. Potential litigation matters were discussed. The Executive Session adjourned at 7:36 p.m.
Vice Chairman Prousi called the work session to order at 7:37 p.m. In attendance were Supervisors Greenberg, Kuhn, and Sarosky. Chairman Witmer was absent. Also in attendance were John Nagel, Merle Ochrach, Bruce Shoupe, Richard Brady, Pam Gural-Bear, Kevin Costello, Larry Gregan, Bill Brightcliffe, Earl Armitage, John Chambers, Stacy Crandell and Deb Rivas.
Dave Keightly, a member of the Park and Recreation Board, introduced Dr. John Deusler, Disc Golf Course Designer and Consultant. Dr. Deusler provided a history and description of the game of disc golf and thanked the Board for considering the installation of a disc golf course in Montgomery Township. Dr. Deusler explained that the course is enjoyed by people of all ages and at all times of the year. The area of Windlestrae Park that was selected for the course will allow it to be challenging and will be utilizing areas of the park that are not suitable for other recreational activities because of wetland areas that surround it. The Board had some concerns about handicap access and whether or not the course would get sufficient use. Overall, it was very well received and the Board approved the design of the course, allowing for the bidding process to commence.
A discussion was held regarding the proposed 202 Trail stub connections. Pam Gural-Bear stated that a meeting had been held with residents to discuss whether or not residents want a trail connection in their development and what type of fencing would be desirable. Residents of Springville Farm and Montgomery Greene have signed petitions saying that they do not want a trail connection. PennDOT will pay for the stub connection within the right-of-way if those stubs are constructed at the same time as the trail. If they are not constructed at that time, any future connections to the trail would be at the expense of the Township or homeowners' associations. Since the stub connections would only come to the end of the trail right of way, it was agreed that the Board should ask PennDOT to pay for the stub connections at this time. Any connection from the development to the stub would then only be finished if the residents of that development wanted it, even if it was much later in the future or not at all. The Board agreed with this concept and asked that the residents continue to be educated about the connections. It was agreed that another meeting should be held with John Wood, Montgomery County Trail Planner, so that the residents will have a better understanding of the trail system. The work session concluded at 8:12 p.m.
Vice Chairman Prousi called to order the regular action meeting at 8:17 p.m. In attendance were Supervisors, Greenberg, Kuhn and Sarosky. Chairman Witmer was absent. Also in attendance were John Nagel, Richard Brady, Kevin Costello, Bill Brightcliffe, Larry Gregan, Pam Gural-Bear, Bruce Shoupe, Merle Ochrach, Earl Armitage, John Chambers and Deb Rivas.
Merle Ochrach announced that the Board met briefly in an executive session to discuss matters of potential litigation.
Police Chief Richard Brady and Community Policing Officer Jim Matlack presented a plaque to Pam Fritz, Manager of the Montgomery Mall. Ms. Fritz will be leaving her position as manager of the mall and the Township thanked her for her unending support over the years. Resolution #1 unanimously recognized and commended Pam Fritz for her years of service and dedication to Montgomery Township.
There was no public comment on any item not on the regular agenda.
John Nagel and Jonathan Trump, Architect from Kimmel Bogrette, made a presentation of the final Master Concept Plan for the Stump Road fire station renovation and addition. Mr. Nagel and Mr. Trump provided a slide presentation on the plan layout and estimated costs for the project. The Township is still awaiting a land deed from Toys R Us for a piece of property behind the building which is being donated. It is anticipated that the plans and bid documents should be completed and ready for award by the end of the year, with construction anticipated to begin in March, 2008 and concluding by September of that year. Resolution #2 unanimously provided final approval for the master concept plan for the addition and renovation to the existing Stump Road fire station with a revised budget figure of $2,100,674 and dated on May 24, 2007.
Under the consent agenda, the minutes of meeting for May 14, 2007, and the payment of bills were approved as submitted. Resolution #3 approved the waiver of land development for the Chipotle Grill. Resolution #4 approved the contract for engineering services to Schlosser & Clauss for the Stump Road Fire Station Renovations. Resolution #5 approved the amended contract for architectural services for the Stump Road Fire Station for Kimmel Bogrette. Resolution #6 authorized the advertisement for a public hearing for proposed Ordinance #07-219Z, Housekeeping Amendments to the Zoning code. Resolution #7 authorized the advertisement for bids for the Public Works storage building. Resolution #8 approved the 2007 budget amendment for intra fund transfer. Resolution #9 authorized the designation of an Ad Hoc Officer for Local Agency Law Hearing. Resolution #10 authorized the disposition of records. All consent agenda resolutions were unanimously approved by the Board.
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 8:36 p.m.