Monday, April 09, 2007
At 7:00 p.m. Chairman Robert Witmer called to order the Executive Session. In attendance were Supervisors Kuhn, Prousi and Sarosky. Supervisor Greenberg was absent. Also in attendance were John Nagel, Merle Ochrach and Richard Brady. A matter of personnel was discussed. The Executive Session adjourned at 7:05 p.m.
The Board of Supervisors met in the lobby for a time to "Meet and Greet" with township residents.
Chairman Witmer called the work session to order at 7:30 p.m. In attendance were Supervisors Kuhn, Prousi and Sarosky. Supervisor Greenberg was absent. Also in attendance were John Nagel, Merle Ochrach, Bruce Shoupe, Richard Brady, Pam Gural-Bear, Kevin Costello, Larry Gregan, Bill Brightcliffe and Shirley Snyder. Monthly Reports for the month of March were provided by Department Heads. Richard Brady reported that the Police Department had responded to 2,318 calls for service. The Department will be interviewing candidates for Recruit Police Officers. Larry Gregan reported that the Finance was continuing training with Pentamation, specifically the Business Tax System. A new Technology Manager has been hired and is scheduled to begin work on Wednesday, April 18th. Bill Brightcliffe reported that the Fire Marshal's office had conducted 24 life safety inspections and responded to 67 incidents. Pam Gural-Bear reported that the Community Services Office had a busy month. Their projects include distribution of employee newsletter, compiling the Spring Communicator, which will be available the end of April, and have completed the 2006 Annual Report which is currently being printed. Bruce Shoupe reported on the statistics of the Planning and Zoning Office, and included a copy of the schedule of developers with projects to come before the Board in the next few months. The work session concluded at 7:50 p.m.
At 8:00 p.m. the regular meeting was called to order by Chairman Witmer. The following members of Cub Scout Pack 229 from Bridle Path Elementary School, presented the colors and participated in the Pledge of Allegiance - Matthew Shade, Nathan Michener, Eddie Knab, Morgan Farrell and Scout Leader, Ed Knab. The Board expressed their thanks to Cub Scout Pack 229 for their participation in this evening's meeting.
In attendance were Supervisors Kuhn, Prousi and Sarosky. Supervisor Greenberg was absent. Also in attendance were Merle Ochrach, John Nagel, John Chambers, Earl Armitage, Rich Tralies, Richard Brady, Kevin Costello, Bill Brightcliffe, Larry Gregan, Pam Gural-Bear, Bruce Shoupe and Shirley Snyder.
April 9th through April 13th is Local Government Week and will be celebrated by municipalities throughout the state. On Wednesday, April 11th, Montgomery Elementary School students will visit the township building and participate in demonstrations by the Police and Fire Departments. On Friday, April 13th, between the hours of 2:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m., residents will have the opportunity to stop by the township building and meet elected Federal, State, County and local Township officials. Resolution #1 unanimously recognized Local Government Week.
Karen Grant, John Griffies and Robert Tagert were unanimously appointed to the Environmental Advisory Committee by Resolution #2.
Pam Gural-Bear noted that the Open Space Committee, established in 2006, has prioritized possible open space parcels and trails and is exploring possible funding for the acquisition of open space within the township. Resolution #3 unanimously approved designating $2,130,000 from the Capital Reserve Fund for Open Space Preservation.
On Saturday, April 21, 2007, the annual International Spring Festival will be held at North Penn High School from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and is being hosted by the Lansdale Public Library. This event celebrates ethnic and cultural heritages through performances, food, and cultural displays. Resolution #4 unanimously recognized the Lansdale Public Library and all participating volunteers for their commitment in celebrating the International Spring Festival.
The Shade Tree Commission is sponsoring its tenth annual Arbor Day "tree give-away" on Saturday, April 28th. Montgomery Township has been named a 2006 Tree City USA and Growth Award recipient and will be presented an award during the event on April 28th. Resolution #5 unanimously recognized Arbor Day and the Arbor Day Proclamation.
There was no public comment at this evening's meeting.
Merle Ochrach announced that the Board had met in Executive Session earlier in the evening and discussed a matter of personnel.
Bruce Shoupe provided an overview of the Cutler Age Restricted Development being proposed on Hartman Road. The development will be done in three phases. Phases I and II are being presented for conditional final approval at this evening's meeting. Phases I and II will include the construction of 254 residential units with driveways and parking areas. Approximately 19 acres of open space will be dedicated to the township for a park. Phase III will include residential mid-rise units and will be developed at a later time. Richard McBride provided a summary of all phases of the plan, specifically giving details of Phases I and II. Mr. McBride also pointed out that there will be no left hand turns onto Route 309, either in or out of the development. All access will be from Hartman Road. A connector road from Route 309 to Hartman Road will also be constructed to provide residents access to Hartman Road. Based on traffic studies and the additional traffic from this development, improvements will be made to Hartman Road, adding a second left hand turn lane from Hartman Road onto Route 309. Chairman Witmer inquired what steps are being taken to help keep the dust level generated by the quarry to a minimum. Mr. McBride advised that a 20' high berm would be constructed along Hartman Road and evergreen trees would be planted on the berm. Under public comment, residents from Montgomery Oaks and Montgomery Crossings presented their concerns over the proposed development. Residents who commented were Greg Samson, Clara Quann, Rita Meggison, Ray Klos, Therese Millman, Russ Warne, Bill Maginnis, Terry Crane, Chris Morelli, Bingbing Feng and Randy Maier. A lengthy discussion followed. The major area of concern was directed at traffic flow on Hartman Road to Route 309. Those who spoke, suggested that another exit from this development should be provided, rather than channel all the cars onto Hartman Road. Residents stated that there is already a backup of traffic waiting to enter 309 South. Because of all the traffic already on Rt. 309, cars cannot turn left onto 309, even with a green light. Other concerns raised pertained to storm water management, blasting at the quarry, proposed trail which would extend along the back of existing homes and lighting within the designated park area. Residents questioned whether they would have any voice in whether or not the trail system would be implemented. It was recommended by the residents present, that the Board of Supervisors deny the plan until modifications could be made to the traffic issue. Chairman Witmer and Merle Ochrach advised the audience that the plan complies with all the ordinances in Montgomery Township and has met all criteria for approval by the Zoning Hearing Board and Planning Commission. The burden of existing traffic problems along Hartman Road and Route 309 cannot be placed on this developer. To deny the plan at this time, would most likely result in a lawsuit filed against the township by the developer. Chairman Witmer requested that a meeting be scheduled with the Park and Recreation Board and the Open Space Committee. Residents were encouraged to come to this meeting to further discuss the trails being proposed for this area. A meeting will also be scheduled with PennDOT to discuss the traffic concerns that plague the Route 309 corridor, especially the intersection of Route 309 and Route 63 in Horsham Township. Residents were also encouraged to come and voice their concerns with the staff at PennDOT, who are the ones who can effect a change in this situation. Supervisor Prousi also recommended that residents stop by the township building this Friday, April 13th to discuss their concerns with Federal, State, County and Local elected officials, who will be here from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Resolution #6 unanimously approved the plan for the Cutler Age Restricted Development.
Under the Consent Agenda, the minutes of meeting for March 26, 2007, and the payment of bills were approved as submitted. Resolution #7 approved designating an additional $3,000,000 in Capital Reserve Funds for the following projects: Fourteen Year Road Plan, Technology Improvements, Operating Contingency, Horsham Road, Park Capital Plan, County Line Road Improvements, NPDES Permit Application, Open Space and the Route 202 Parkway. An extension request for Manor Medical was approved by Resolution #8. Resolution #9 authorized the conditional use decision and order for Greenway Development, L.P. The City of Harrisburg Cooperative Contract was approved with Resolution #10. Resolution #11 approved the grant application for Emergency Operations Center Enhancements. All consent agenda resolutions were unanimously approved.
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 9:55 p.m.