Tuesday, January 02, 2007
At 7:30 p.m. Chairman William Sarosky called to order the Executive Session. In attendance were Supervisors Kuhn, Prousi and Witmer. Supervisor Greenberg was absent. Also in attendance were John Nagel, Merle Ochrach and Bruce Shoupe. Personnel and litigation matters were discussed. The Executive Session adjourned at 7:58 p.m.
Chairman Sarosky called the Re-Organization Meeting to order at 8:00 p.m. In attendance were Supervisors Kuhn, Prousi and Witmer. Supervisor Greenberg was absent. Also in attendance were John Nagel, Richard Brady, Kevin Costello, Bill Brightcliffe, Monica DeCaro, Pam Gural-Bear, Bruce Shoupe, Merle Ochrach, Judith Stern Goldstein, Matt Johnston, Lonnie Manai and Deb Rivas. Chairman Sarosky then requested that the Board nominate a new Chairman. Supervisor Prousi nominated Supervisor Witmer to be the 2007 Chairman of the Board. Supervisor Kuhn seconded the nomination. Supervisor Witmer was elected Chairman of the Board for 2007 by a unanimous vote (4 - 0, Greenberg absent), and by Resolution #1. Supervisor Sarosky nominated Supervisor Prousi to be the Vice Chairman. Supervisor Witmer seconded the nomination. The Board voted unanimously (4 - 0, Greenberg absent) to elect Supervisor Prousi to be the Vice Chairman for 2007 by Resolution #2.
A newly appointed Fire Police officer was sworn in by Chairman Witmer. Resolution #3 unanimously appointed Joseph Freas to the position of Fire Police Officer with the Fire Department of Montgomery Township.
Chairman Witmer then commended the Township's volunteer Boards and Committees for their service during the year 2006. Chairman Witmer thanked each committee member for their dedication and time in serving on township committees.
Under the Consent Agenda for the re-organization meeting, Resolution #4 established the Township holidays for 2007. Resolution #5 established the meeting dates for 2007. Resolution #6 set the Treasurer and Business Tax Collector's Bonds. Resolution #7 qualified Harleysville Bank as the Township depository. Resolution #8 appointed the officials and consultants for 2007. Resolution #9 certified Chairman Witmer as the delegate to the Pennsylvania State Association for Township Supervisors for 2007. Resolution #10 established the Board of Supervisors liaisons to the Township Committees. Resolution #11 approved the authorized drivers for Township vehicles for 2007. Resolution #12 appointed the Fire Department of Montgomery Township Fire Police for 2007. Resolution #13 established the 2007 Fee Schedule. Resolution #14 reaffirmed the Board's support of the commitment by the Township Manager to adhere to the International City Managers Association Code of Ethics for the year 2007. Chairman Witmer motioned that the consent agenda be approved and Vice Chairman Prousi seconded the motion. The Board voted unanimously (4 - 0, Greenberg absent) to approve the consent agenda.
The re-organization meeting adjourned at 8:13 p.m.
Chairman Witmer called to order the regular meeting at 8:13 p.m.
John Nagel recognized the previous promotion of Ann Shade to Human Resources Director and acknowledged her many contributions to the employees of Montgomery Township. Bill Brightcliffe recognized the promotions of Firefighters John Scheiter and Frank Colelli to Fire Captains. By Resolution #15, the Board unanimously acknowledged these promotions.
Mike Galla thanked the participants of the 2006 Holiday Lights Contest and the sponsors and provided each winner with a Certificate of Appreciation from the township and a gift certificate from a local business. Resolution #16 unanimously recognized and commended Mike Pierson, Susan and Norman Shaw, Will Canum, Bob Menno, Tom Coffey and Mary Lou Ferrese as the winners of the 2006 Montgomery Township Holiday Lights Contest, and Rhoads Garden, Montgomery Mall, Outback Steakhouse, Houlihan's, The Texas Roadhouse, Sal's Nursery, and World Wide Stereo as sponsors of the event. The township also thanked all families who participated in the contest.
Merle Ochrach announced that the Board had met in Executive Session earlier in the evening to discuss matters of personnel and litigation. The litigation matters were Jackson v. Montgomery Township, Commerce Limited Partnership v. Montgomery Township, Montgomery Township v. Frank Rich, Amerada Hess Corporation v. ZHB, McCracken v. Robert Freed, et al, Hetherington v. Montgomery Township & MTMSA, and Murphy & Thompson v. Montgomery Township Police Department.
Bruce Shoupe introduced the consideration of plan for the former Perkins Restaurant site and listed the waivers being requested by the applicant, Selective Development. Michael Yanoff represented the applicant along with Phil Dicus from Bohler Engineering. Mr. Yanoff indicated that there would be no modification to the existing building footprint and that only the drive thru lanes and canopy were being added to the site. Waivers were addressed and discussion was held regarding the drive thru lanes and traffic pattern. Supervisor Sarosky indicated that there should be significant less traffic with a bank than there was for a restaurant. After additional discussion, Resolution #17 approved the consideration of plan unanimously.
Under the consent agenda, the minutes of meeting for December 18, 2006, and the payment of bills were approved as submitted. Resolution #18 reappointed Sam Dugan as a member of the Industrial Development Authority. Resolution #19 authorized the Township Manager to advertise for proposed Ordinance #07-212 - Amendment to Realty Transfer Tax Ordinance to be held on February 12, 2007. Resolution #20 approved an escrow release for Devon Court, and Resolution #21 approved an escrow release for General Hancock Partnership. All consent agenda resolutions were unanimously approved the Board.
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 8:55 p.m.