MINUTES OF MEETING
FEBRUARY 11, 2013
Chairman Joseph Walsh called the executive session to order at 7:00 p.m. In attendance were Supervisors Robert Birch, Candyce Fluehr Chimera, Michael Fox and Jeffrey McDonnell. Also in attendance were Lawrence Gregan, Frank Bartle, Esquire, and Bruce Shoupe.
Chairman Joseph Walsh called the action meeting to order at 8:01 p.m. In attendance were Supervisors Robert Birch, Candyce Fluehr Chimera, Michael Fox and Jeffrey McDonnell. 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, Richard Grier, Laura Duff and Shirley Snyder.
Following the Pledge of Allegiance, Chairman Joseph Walsh called for public comment from the audience.
Robert Sykes of 102 Woodland Drive expressed his appreciation to the Board of Supervisors and Solicitor, Frank R. Bartle for their time in researching his inquiry concerning a referendum pertaining to the proposed Recreation/Community Center. Mr. Sykes read portions from a letter he received from Joseph Passarella of the Montgomery County Voter Services Department explaining the reasons why a referendum is not permitted in Montgomery Township. Mr. Sykes concluded by wishing the Board the best as they proceed with the Recreation/Community Center project.
Michael Kornfeld of 19 Meadowbrook Road also commented on the proposed Recreation/Community Center, stating that he had sent a letter to the Board of Supervisors outlining projections of the project. Mr. Kornfeld stated that, in his opinion, the proposed building may be too small for the number of residents it will serve. Mr. Kornfeld requested that the Board of Supervisors re-work the numbers before proceeding with the project. Chairman Joseph Walsh thanked Mr. Kornfeld for his letter and time spent on reviewing and commenting on this project and advised Mr. Kornfeld that he would be receiving a written response to his concerns.
Bruce Bailey of County Line Road commented that during the years of the planning of the Route 202 Parkway, he was opposed to the road being built. Mr. Bailey stated that since the Parkway has been opened, he thinks it is the best thing Montgomery Township has done. Mr. Bailey also inquired about the placement of the "Welcome to Eureka" sign on County Line Road. The Board was not certain of the boundaries, but stated that Roy Rodriguez, Chairman of the Shade Tree and Open Space Committees was instrumental in the placement of these signs.
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 personnel matter and one matter of litigation, pertaining to the McCauley Zoning Hearing Board matter discussed. Mr. Bartle also reported that these matters are legitimate subjects of executive session pursuant to Pennsylvania's Sunshine Law.
Chairman Joseph Walsh made a motion to approve the minutes of the January 28, 2013 Board meeting, and Supervisor Robert Birch seconded the motion. The minutes of the meeting were unanimously approved as submitted.
Kevin Costello, Director of Public Works, introduced Jose Claudio Sanchez. Claudio has joined the Park Crew under the direction of Assistant Park Foreman, Greg Reiff. Claudio comes to Montgomery Township from the private sector with experience in landscaping, construction and equipment operation. Resolution #1, made by Chairman Joseph Walsh, seconded by Supervisor Robert Birch and adopted unanimously, welcomed Jose Claudio Sanchez as a new employee of Montgomery Township, effective January 7, 2013.
Patricia Forbes has expressed an interest in serving on the Montgomery Township Senior committee. Ms. Forbes worked as an administrative assistant and office manager prior to her retirement. Resolution #2, made by Chairman Joseph Walsh, seconded by Supervisor Candyce Fluehr Chimera and adopted unanimously, appointed Patricia Forbes as a member of the Montgomery Township Senior Committee with a term to expire on January 1, 2014.
William Jones has expressed an interest in serving on the Montgomery Township Business Development Partnership. Mr. Jones is General Manager of the Dunkin Donuts on Bethlehem Pike. Resolution #3, made by Chairman Joseph Walsh, seconded by Supervisor Robert Birch and adopted unanimously, appointed William Jones as a member of the Montgomery Township Business Development Partnership with a term to expire on January 1, 2014.
Kim Greene, a member of the Park and Recreation Board and Beth Staab, a member of the Environmental Advisory Committee were appointed to fill vacancies on the Open Space Committee. Resolution #4, made by Supervisor Robert Birch, seconded by Supervisor Candyce Fluehr Chimera and adopted unanimously, appointed Kim Greene and Beth Staab as members of the Montgomery Township Open Space Committee with terms to expire on January 1, 2014.
Director of Fire Services, Richard Lesniak introduced Alex Olimpo, President of the Administrative Officers of the Fire Department of Montgomery Township (FDMT), who introduced the Administrative Officers, William Wiegman, Fire Chief, who introduced the Operational Officers and Michael Shinton, President of the Relief Association Officers, who introduced the Relief Association Officers. Resolution #5, made by Chairman Joseph Walsh, seconded by Supervisor Candyce Fluehr Chimera and adopted unanimously, accepted and approved the Fire Department of Montgomery Township and the Fire Department of Montgomery Township Relief Association 2013 leadership.
Richard Lesniak stated that on July 22, 2002, the Board of Supervisors created, by Resolution the Fire Department of Montgomery Township. Since that date, sixteen (16) of the founding members have maintained active membership with the Department. The Board expressed their appreciation to the Founding/Charter Members by presenting each member with a plaque for their ten years of service. Resolution #6, made by Chairman Joseph Walsh, seconded by Supervisor Candyce Fluehr Chimera and adopted unanimously, recognized the founding/charter members of the Volunteer Fire Department of Montgomery Township.
Richard Lesniak, announced that the Fire Department of Montgomery Township conducts several fund raising events throughout the year. Each year the FDMT advises the Board of Supervisors of its planned fundraising activities and to request the Board's approval of the events. Resolution #7, made by Chairman Joseph Walsh, seconded by Supervisor Candyce Fluehr Chimera and adopted unanimously, approved the FDMT to host the following fund raising events in 2013: Car Washes (2-3 in spring/summer); Coin Toss in December; Car Show - tentatively in August; Bagging Grocery Event at Whole Foods; Mary, Mother of the Redeemer Carnival in June.
Richard Lesniak stated that the Stafford Act requires state and local governments to develop an approved mitigation plan as a condition for receiving certain federal disaster grants and loans. This act also requires that the plans be updated every five years. This plan amendment evaluates 24 potential natural, human caused and technological hazards, and examines the capacity of different levels of government to address these expected hazards. The Plan recognizes that the avoidance of disaster is a shared responsibility of various levels of local government, businesses and residents. Resolution #8, made by Supervisor Michael Fox, seconded by Supervisor Candyce Fluehr Chimera and adopted unanimously, adopted the 2012 Montgomery County Hazard Mitigation Plan.
Director of Fire Services, Richard Lesniak reported that FEMA has announced that Montgomery County and its municipalities have met the criteria to be eligible for "disaster" status and public assistance for costs incurred during the events of Hurricane Sandy in October 2012. Montgomery Township will be applying for reimbursement of Public Works, Fire and Administrative expenses that were a direct result of the Hurricane. Resolution #9, made by Supervisor Robert Birch, seconded by Supervisor Candyce Fluehr Chimera and adopted unanimously, approved the adoption of the PEMA-DAP-2 Resolution designating Emergency Management Coordinator, Richard M. Lesniak, as the Township's agent to execute all required forms and documents for the purposes of obtaining financial assistance for Hurricane Sandy.
Township Manager, Lawrence Gregan reported that the Montgomery Township Municipal Sewer Authority has requested that the Township adopt an amendment to the township Code of Ordinances amending Chapter 187, Sewers, Article XIV-Building Sewers and Connections. The proposed Ordinance would establish new standards for the materials used and construction methods employed for construction of building sewers, laterals and appurtenant facilities, and would also require certain commercial customers to do some additional installations and require regular maintenance and cleaning of systems. Resolution #10, made by Supervisor Michael Fox, seconded by Chairman Joseph Walsh and adopted unanimously, approved the adoption of Ordinance #13-269 amending Chapter 187 of the Township Code of Ordinances, Sewers, Article XIV-Building Sewers and Connections to establish new standards for materials used and construction of sewers, laterals and appurtenant facilities.
Director of Finance, Shannon Drosnock reported that the Board of Supervisors, at the request of the Tax Collector, had authorized the advertisement of Ordinance #13-270 which would increase the compensation for the Tax collector of Montgomery Township. This increase would begin in fiscal year 2014 and increase the compensation by approximately $1,380. Resolution #11, made by Supervisor Robert Birch, seconded by Chairman Joseph Walsh and adopted unanimously, approved the adoption of Ordinance #13-270 to increase the compensation of the Tax Collector for Montgomery Township commencing January 1, 2014.
Shannon Drosnock reported that in February of 2012, the Board authorized the purchase of approximately 12 acres of land immediately adjacent to the Township building for a cost of $1.5M. The next several months were spent conducting a feasibility study for a proposed Recreation/Community Center at that location. The Board contracted with RBC Capital Markets to assist with the potential bond issuance for the Township to fund the construction of the Center. On January 28, 2013 at a public meeting, the Board resolved to move forward with the construction of the Recreation/Community Center and accepted the Finance Committee's recommendation to move forward with the bond issue for $10M to be used for financing the construction of the Center. Resolution #12, made by Supervisor Michael Fox, seconded by Chairman Joseph Walsh and adopted unanimously, authorized the advertisement of proposed Ordinance #13-271 to Increase the Indebtedness of Montgomery Township by Ten Million Dollars.
Lawrence Gregan stated that in 2012 the Montgomery County Commissioners adopted a Resolution authorizing the Montgomery County Tax Claim Bureau as the alternate delinquent tax collector. Resolution #13, made by Supervisor Michael Fox, seconded by Vice Chairman Jeffrey McDonnell and adopted unanimously, authorized the advertisement of Proposed Ordinance #12-268 which would appoint and authorize the Montgomery County Tax Claim Bureau as the alternative collector with the authority to file liens for existing delinquent real estate taxes with penalty, interest and fees for such collection in accord with the Municipal Claims and Tax Liens Act and the Real Estate Tax Sales Law for consideration at the Board of Supervisors meeting on February 25, 2013.
Lawrence Gregan reported that Act 32 of 2008 amended the Local Tax Enabling Act to provide for county-wide collection of the Earned Income Tax (EIT) levied by school districts and municipalities. In 2011, Berkheimer Tax Administrators was selected to be the Tax Collector for Earned Income Tax for Montgomery Township and an agreement was entered into for this service. The Montgomery County Tax Collection committee adopted the Act 192 schedule of fees on July 16, 2012 and has requested that the member municipalities and school districts adopt this schedule and submit a copy to Berkheimer. Resolution #14, made by Chairman Joseph Walsh, seconded by Supervisor Candyce Fluehr Chimera and adopted unanimously, approved the resolution adopting the Act 192 Schedule of Costs for collection of delinquent Earned Income Taxes.
Director of Public Works, Kevin Costello reported that an online auction was held through Municibid for the sale of the Township's 1997 Elgin Geo Vac Street Sweeper. A total of 44 bids were received at the close of bidding and the sweeper will be awarded to the highest bidder. Resolution #15, made by Supervisor Robert Birch, seconded by Supervisor Candyce Fluehr Chimera and adopted unanimously, authorized the sale of the Township's 1997 Elgin Geo Vac Street Sweeper to West Brandywine Township for the amount of $22,600.00.
Chairman Joseph Walsh made a motion to approve the payment of bills. Supervisor Robert Birch 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 9:01 p.m.