MINUTES OF MEETING
NOVEMBER 26, 2012
Vice Chairman Joseph Walsh called the executive session to order at 7:00 p.m. In attendance were Supervisors Michael Fox and Jeffrey McDonnell. Chairman Candyce Fluehr Chimera and Supervisor Robert J. Birch were absent. Also in attendance were Lawrence Gregan and Frank Bartle, Esquire.
Vice Chairman Joseph Walsh called the action meeting to order at 8:00 p.m. In attendance were Supervisors Michael Fox and Jeffrey McDonnell. Chairman Candyce Fluehr Chimera and Supervisor Robert J. Birch were absent. Also in attendance were Frank Bartle, Esquire, Lawrence Gregan, Chief J. Scott Bendig, Rick Lesniak, Kevin Costello, Bruce Shoupe, Shannon Drosnock, Ann Shade, Stacy Crandell, Laura Duff, Richard Grier and Deborah Rivas.
Following the Pledge of Allegiance, Vice Chairman Joseph Walsh called for public comment from the audience.
State Representative Todd Stephens expressed appreciation to the Board of Supervisors for their service to the Township and stated that tonight he wanted to single out one Board member for how he has exemplified himself and the accomplishments he has made in the areas of stormwater management. Representative Stephens presented a Pennsylvania House of Representatives Citation to Board Supervisor Michael Fox, acknowledging his successful and steadfast leadership of the Pennsylvania Stormwater Coalition over the last several years.
Vice Chairman Joseph Walsh acknowledged several Boy Scouts who were present in the audience working towards their Citizenship and Communication Badges.
Frank 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 of litigation, Karaffa v. Montgomery Township which is currently in the Pennsylvania Eastern District Court, two matters of potential litigation and two personnel matters. Mr. Bartle also reported that these matters are legitimate subjects of executive session pursuant to Pennsylvania's Sunshine Law. Vice Chairman Joseph Walsh also announced that the Board had met in an executive session following the November 14, 2012 budget work shop to discuss matters of personnel.
Vice Chairman Joseph Walsh made a motion to approve the minutes of the November 12, 2012 Board meeting, and Supervisor Michael Fox seconded the motion. The minutes of the meeting were unanimously approved as submitted.
Township Manager Lawrence Gregan announced that Public Information Coordinator Stacy Crandell is being promoted to the newly created position of Assistant to the Township Manager. Ms. Crandell will report directly to the Township Manager and perform work that is closely aligned with the Township Manager's office such as Storm Water Management, the Township's 300th Anniversary, grant research and the proposed Recreation/Community Center. In addition, Mr. Gregan announced that the Township has hired Laura Duff to fill the position of Public Information Coordinator. Ms. Duff has been working on a temporary basis since June in the Planning Department and Department of Fire Services. Resolution #1, made by Vice Chairman Joseph Walsh, seconded by Supervisor Jeffrey McDonnell and adopted unanimously, approved the promotion of Stacy Crandell to the position of Assistant to the Township Manager and Laura Duff to the position of Public Information Coordinator, both effective November 16, 2012.
Township Manager Lawrence Gregan reported that the consulting firm of Kimmel Bogrette Architecture + Site, along with their sub-consultant Ballard*King Associates, are prepared to present their final report concerning the proposed Recreation/Community Center Needs Assessment & Feasibility Study. Mr. Gregan recommended that the Board authorize the advertisement of a work session meeting for the presentation of the final report. Resolution #2, made by Vice Chairman Joseph Walsh, seconded by Supervisor Jeffrey McDonnell and adopted unanimously, authorized the advertisement of a work session on December 10, 2012 beginning at 7:00 p.m.
Township Manager Lawrence Gregan reported that the construction of Friendship Park is currently underway. The David Cutler Group is funding the improvements and requests the Township's authorization to release progress payments to its contractor, Wolverine Constructors. Mr. Gregan reported that the total cost for the park improvements is $546,463.82 and Wolverine Constructors is seeking a progress payment in the amount of $125,540.80. The Township Engineer has inspected the site and found the work completed to date to be satisfactory. Resolution #3, made by Vice Chairman Joseph Walsh, seconded by Supervisor Jeffrey McDonnell, and adopted unanimously, accepted the Township Engineer's recommendation that the site work was performed satisfactorily and that the David Cutler Group can proceed with payment to Wolverine Constructors in accordance with the provisions of their contract.
Finance Director Shannon Drosnock reported that the Township has requested and received proposals from three Public Accounting firms to perform the Township's 2012 year-end financial audit. Proposals were received from Maillie Falconiero & Company, Bee, Bergvall & Company, and St. Clair CPAs, P.C. Vice Chairman Joseph Walsh asked about the need for consultation assistance throughout the year and how often staff needs to consult with the auditors. Ms. Drosnock indicated that there are several matters which require input from the auditors on a periodic basis throughout the year. The proposals were compared and were found to be similar in costs. Vice Chairman Joseph Walsh inquired if it was too late in the year to make a change for the 2012 Audit. Ms. Drosnock indicated that the preparation work needed to occur within the next two weeks. Supervisor Michael Fox suggested that the Township remain with its current auditor, Maillie, Falconiero & Company for this year, that the Township staff prepare an RFP to solicit proposals from accounting firms for the 2013 audit, and that the Finance Committee be involved in evaluating the firms in order to make a recommendation to the Board of Supervisors. Supervisor Fox opined that it would be helpful for the Board to meet the prospective new auditors in a work session prior to any appointment being made. The Board concurred. Resolution #4, made by Vice Chairman Joseph Walsh, seconded by Supervisor Jeffrey McDonnell, and approved unanimously, authorized Township staff to continue with Maillie, Falconiero & Company in accordance with their proposal for the 2012 fiscal year audit and Township staff will pursue investigating other audit firm proposals through the Finance Committee early next year.
Planning Director Bruce Shoupe reported that the engineer for the Firefox Subdivision has submitted a revised application to FEMA for a floodplain map amendment on this site. Mr. Shoupe stated that although this was previously approved in 2008, and although there have been no design changes since the original submission, FEMA is requiring an updated Township approval. Resolution #5 made by Supervisor Jeffrey McDonnell, seconded by Vice Chairman Joseph Walsh, and approved unanimously, authorized the Township Manager to sign the application to FEMA for a Floodplain Map Amendment for the Firefox Subdivision.
Planning Director Bruce Shoupe reported that the staff has prepared an application for the 2012 Tree City USA Growth Award and the Tree City USA Recertification which requires the Board's approval. Resolution #6 made by Supervisor Michael Fox, seconded by Supervisor Jeffrey McDonnell, and approved unanimously, approved the application for Montgomery Township to receive the Tree City USA Growth Award and approve the application for the Tree City USA Recertification.
Planning Director Bruce Shoupe reported that the Montgomery Township Municipal Sewer Authority was seeking a waiver of permit fees for the building and electrical permits associated with its effluent meter chamber project. Mr. Shoupe 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 #7 made by Supervisor Michael Fox, seconded by Supervisor Jeffrey McDonnell, and adopted unanimously, approved the request of the Montgomery Township Municipal Sewer Authority to waive all permit fees associated with the effluent meter chamber project.
Planning Director Bruce Shoupe reported that the Shade Tree Commission recently discussed the benefits of adopting an ordinance regulating invasive plants, such as bamboo, due to the increased popularity and use of such plant species in yard landscaping projects. Mr. Shoupe stated that the goal of the ordinance will not be to ban these plants, but to ensure that property owners planning the use of such landscape material, properly manage the location of and growth of such plants and prevent encroachment onto public lands. Resolution #8, made by Supervisor Michael Fox, seconded by Supervisor Jeffrey McDonnell, and approved unanimously, authorized Township Landscape Engineer, Boucher & James, to draft an Invasive Plant Species Ordinance at a cost of not to exceed $800.
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.
There being no further business to come before the Board, the meeting adjourned at 8:40 p.m.